Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) (Amendment) Bill 

About Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) (Amendment) Bill :

• It is an Act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations, and for the protection of sculptures, carvings, and other like objects.
• It extends to the whole of India.
• The AMASR Act, of 1958, was amended in 2010 to declare the 100-meter radius of protected monuments as prohibited areas and the next 300-meter radius as regulated areas.

About the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017  :

• It was introduced to amend the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, of 1958.
  The Act defines a ‘prohibited area’ as an area of 100 meters around a protected monument or area.
• The central government can extend the prohibited area beyond 100 meters.
• The Act does not permit construction in such prohibited areas, except under certain conditions.
• The Act also prohibits construction in ‘prohibited areas’ even if it is for public purposes.
• The Bill was intended to amend this provision to permit the construction of public works in ‘prohibited areas’ for public purposes.
• The Bill introduces a definition for ‘public works.
• Procedure for seeking permission for public works: As per the Bill, the relevant central government department, that seeks to carry out construction for public purposes in a prohibited area, should make an application to the competent authority.
• If there is any question related to whether a construction project qualifies as ‘public works’, it will be referred to the National Monuments Authority.  This Authority will make its recommendations, with written reasons, to the central government.
• The decision of the central government will be final. 
• If the decision of the central government differs from that of the Authority, it should record its reasons in writing.
• This decision should be communicated by the competent authority, to the applicant, within 10 days of receiving it.

Impact assessment of proposed public works:

• The Bill empowers the National Monuments Authority to consider an impact assessment of the proposed public works in a prohibited area, including its (i) archaeological impact; (ii) visual impact; and (iii) heritage impact.
• The Authority will make a recommendation, for the construction of public works to the central government, only if it is satisfied that there is no reasonable possibility of moving the construction outside the prohibited area.
• The bill was referred to the Select Committee in 2018.

Source: THE HINDU

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements (2018)

1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? (2016)

1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. None of the statements given above is correct