Chandigarh urged to get architectural items notified as ‘art treasures’

Chandigarh, July 28

To prevent illegal trafficking of architectural items from Chandigarh, the UT Administration has been urged to get these items notified as “art treasure”.

In a communication, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated that till these architectural items were declared as “art treasures” they cannot take any action.

These heritage items do not come under the category of “antiquity” or “art treasure”, as per the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972, the ASI pointed out.

In a letter to UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore, Ajay Jagga, member, Heritage Protection Cell, UT, said, “Since our heritage items are not older than 75 years, they are not covered under the term antiquity… The only way forward for its protection is getting it notified as ‘art treasure’ from the Central Government.”

“Once it is notified as ‘art treasure’ the heritage items will be covered under Section 3 of the Act. Thereafter, it shall not be lawful for any person, other than the Central Government or any authority or agency authorised by the Central Government in this behalf, to export any art treasure,” said Jagga. — TNS