Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010

• To stop the rampant encroachment and construction around the monuments and other sites of archaeological importance, the Government has enacted The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.
  
• National Monuments Authority (NMA) under the Act will be the highest body to oversee functions under the Act, particularly consideration of NOC applications for construction or reconstruction or repair and renovation in prohibited and regulated areas.
  
• The National Monument Authority shall consist of-
  
  • A Chairperson, on whole-time basis, to be appointed by the President, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;
    
  • Such number of members not exceeding five whole-time members and five part-time members to be appointed, on the recommendations of the Selection Committee referred to in section 20G, by the Central Government, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;
    
  • The Director General as member, ex officio.
    
• National Monuments Authority shall discharge the following functions:
  
  • Make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas declared as of national importance under section 3 and 4, before the commencement of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation)Act, 2010;
    
  • Make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas which may be declared after the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, as of national importance under section 4
    
  • Oversee the working of the competent authorities;
    
  • To suggest measures for implementation of the provisions of this Act;
    
  • To consider the impact of large-scale developmental projects including public projects and projects essential to the public which may be proposed in the regulated areas and make recommendations in respect thereof to the competent authority;
    
  • To make recommendations to the competent authority for grant of permission.