Govt. launches NOC Online Application Processing System (NOAPS)
Union Ministry of Tourism launched the integrated NOC (No Objection Certificate) Online Application Processing System for National Monuments Authority (NMA) to seek approval for construction around protected monuments in 6 states.
About NOC Online Application Processing System
Background: In order to automate process of granting NOC for construction-related work in prohibited and regulated areas, National Monuments Authority (NMA) designed, developed and implemented a web-enabled software application dubbed as ‘NOC Online Application Processing System’ (NOAPS) and launched the ‘NOAPS Non Single window system’ in September 2015. Later, ‘NOAPS Single window system’ was officially launched on 1 May 2016. As of August 2019, NOAPS was limited to only 5 urban local bodies in Delhi and 1 civic body in Mumbai, however from now onwards the facility has been expanded to 6 more states.
Six states: Madhya Pradesh (378), Andhra Pradesh (110), Haryana (15), Punjab (10), Jharkhand (3) and Telangana (1). In total, 517 local bodies have made it online.
Portal has integration with Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) ‘Smarac’ mobile app, through which applicant can traverse his plot and submit geo coordinates of land, along with uploading images into NIC (National Informatics Centre) portal.
Process: Desired applicant needs to fill up a single form which is being sent to concerned agencies by Urban Local Body (ULBs), from whom NOC is required. NMA on its part will communicate its decision to the local body within 15-30 working days, bringing down the time limit from 90 days. This time limit is prescribed in Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.
Need: With increasing population pressure as well as increase of urbanization, development and growth there is growing pressure on land including land around centrally protected monuments. However as this often affects site or monument adversely, it is important that such growth around centrally protected monuments is properly regulated such that it balances the needs of individuals and growth and development on one hand and requirements of preservation and protection of these monuments on the other.
Significance: NOAPS will now ease the process to seek approval for construction in prohibited and regulated areas around Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments in 6 states (517 local bodies). By this integration, NMA has made a humble effort towards the Mantra of ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’.
NOTE: National Monuments Authority (NMA) functions under Union Ministry of Culture. NMA has been established as per provisions of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.
