Context
The government plans to open up conservation of protected monuments — so far the mandate of only the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) — to private entities, marking the beginning of a public-private partnership model in heritage management.
Background: ASI’s Exclusive Mandate
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 under the Ministry of Culture, responsible for archaeological research and the protection of India’s cultural heritage.
It plays a central role in the maintenance, conservation, and preservation of ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and remains of national importance.
It enforces the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
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