No mall behind Taj: Jagmohan

The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture is most likely to shoot down Uttar Pradesh government’s plan to build a shopping mall against...

The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture is most likely to shoot down Uttar Pradesh government’s plan to build a shopping mall against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan, in a letter to CM Mayawati, has said that no work, whatsover, without the specific approval of the ASI, can be undertaken within a radius of 300 metre of any protected monument or place.

The letter dated June 16 states: ‘‘I hope you would agree that, legal aspects apart, the matters pertaining to protected monuments/places in Agra involve sensitive issues concerning our history, heritage, environment and ecology and have to be handled with care and caution.’’ The minister has asked Mayawati to issue directions to all departments concerned to ensure that the statutory provisions are respected and nothing is done which is not in accordance with the approved plan of the ASI and SC directions.

Jagmohan is scheduled to meet the Chief Secretary of UP and Environment Ministry officials on June 20 to take stock of the situation. In a separate letter to Environment Minister T.R. Baalu, Jagmohan has asked him to ensure nothing is done by the Environment Ministry which is not in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

C P Radharishnan is currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra.

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