The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
# THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 
 AND REMAINS ACT, 1958 

――

# ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

――

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title, extent and commencement.

2. Definitions.

2A. Construction of references to any law not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

3. Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be of national importance.

4. Power of Central Government to declare ancient monuments, etc., to be of national importance.

4A. Categorisation and classification in respect of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and

remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4.

PROTECTED MONUMENTS

5. Acquisition of rights in a protected monument.

6. Preservation of protected monument by agreement.

7. Owners under disability or not in possession.

8. Application of endowment to repair a protected monument.

9.  Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement.

10. Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6.

11. Enforcement of agreements.

12. Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed

by owner.

13. Acquisition of protected monuments.

14. Maintenance of certain protected monuments.

15. Voluntary contributions.

16. Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.

17. Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument.

18. Right of access to protected monuments.

PROTECTED AREAS

19. Restrictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas.

20. Power to acquire a protected area.

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PROHIBITED AND REGULATED AREAS

SECTIONS

20A. Declaration of prohibited area and carrying out public work or other works in prohibited

area.

20B. Declaration of regulated area in respect of every protected monument.

20C. Application for repair or renovation in prohibited area, or construction or re-construction or

repair or renovation in regulated area.

GRANT OF PERMISSION BY COMPETENT AUTHORITY

20D. Grant of permission by competent authority within regulated area.

20E. Heritage bye-laws.

NATIONAL MONUMENTS AUTHORITY

20F. Constitution of National Monuments Authority.

20G. Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority.

20H. Salary, allowances and meetings of Authority.

20-I. Functions and powers of Authority.

20J. Removal of Chairperson and members.

20K. Restriction on future employment by Chairperson and members.

20L. Power of Central Government to issue directions to Authority.

20M. Power of Central Government to issue directions to competent authority.

20N. Power of Central Government to supersede Authority.

20-O. Bar of jurisdiction of civil court.

20P. Annual report.

20Q. Power to call for information.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS

21. Excavations in protected areas.

22. Excavations in areas other than protected areas.

23. Compulsory purchase of antiquities, etc., discovered during excavation operations.

24. Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes.

PROTECTION OF ANTIQUITIES

25. Power of Central Government to control moving of antiquities.

26. Purchase of antiquities by Central Government.

PRINCIPLES OF COMPENSATION

27. Compensation for loss or damage.

28. Assessment of market value or compensation.

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MISCELLANEOUS

SECTIONS

29. Delegation of powers.

30. Penalties.

30A. Punishment for construction, etc., in prohibited area.

30B. Punishment for construction, etc., in regulated area.

30C. Offences by officers of Government.

31. Jurisdiction to try offences.

32. Certain offences to be cognizable.

33. Special provision regarding fine.

34. Recovery of amounts due to the Government.

35. Ancient monuments, etc., which have ceased to be of national importance.

35A. Obligation to survey the protected prohibited area and regulated areas.

35B. Identification of unauthorised constructions on or after 16th June, 1992.

36. Power to correct mistakes, etc.

37. Protection of action taken under the Act.

38. Power to make rule.

39. Repeals and savings.

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# THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 
 AND REMAINS ACT, 1958 

 ACT NO. 24 OF 1958[1]

[28th August, 1958.]

# An Act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and
 archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:―

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title, extent and commencement.―(1) This Act may be called the Ancient Monuments**

and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

2[(2) It extends to the whole of India.]

(3) It shall come into force on such date[3] as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, appoint.

**2. Definitions.―In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,―**

(a) “ancient monument” means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place

of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith, which is of historical,
archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than one hundred
years, and includes―

(i) the remains of an ancient monument,

(ii) the site of an ancient monument,

(iii) such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for

fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and

(iv) the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument;

(b) “antiquity” includes―

(i) any coin, sculpture, manuscript, epigraph, or other work of art or craftsmanship,

(ii) any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave,

(iii) any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion,

customs, morals or politics in bygone ages,

(iv) any article, object or thing of historical interest, and

1. Extended to Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 1962, S. 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 22-11-1962). Extended to

Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. I (w.e.f. 11-7-1965) and Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and
Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-10-1963).

2. Subs. by Act 52 of 1972, s. 33, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
3. 15th October, 1959, _vide notification No. S. O. 2307, dated 15th October, 1959,_ _see Gazette of India, Extraordinary,_

Part II, sec. 3(ii).

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(v) any article, object or thing declared by the Central Government, by notification in the

Official Gazette, to be an antiquity for the purposes of this Act,

which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years;

(c) “archaeological officer” means an officer of the Department of Archaeology of the

Government of India not lower in rank than Assistant Superintendent of Archaeology;

(d) “archaeological site and remains” means any area which contains or is reasonably

believed to contain ruins or relics of historical or archaeological importance which have been in
existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes―

(i) such portion of land adjoining the area as may be required for fencing or covering in or

otherwise preserving it, and

(ii) the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, the area;

1[(da) “Authority” means the National Monuments Authority constituted under section 20F;

(db) “competent authority” means an officer not below the rank of Director of archaeology or

Commissioner of archaeology of the Central or State Government or equivalent rank, specified,
by notification in the Official Gazette, as the competent authority by the Central Government to
perform functions under this Act:

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify

different competent authorities for the purpose of sections 20C, 20D and 20E;

(dc) “construction” means any erection of a structure or a building, including any addition or

extension thereto either vertically or horizontally, but does not include any re-construction, repair
and renovation of an existing structure or building, or, construction, maintenance and cleansing of
drains and drainage works and of public latrines, urinals and similar conveniences, or, the
construction and maintenance of works meant for providing supply of water for public, or, the
construction or maintenance, extension, management for supply and distribution of electricity to
the public or provision for similar facilities for public;]

(e) “Director-General” means the Director-General of Archaeology, and includes any officer

authorised by the Central Government to perform the duties of the Director-General;

(f) “maintain”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, includes the fencing,

covering in, repairing, restoring and cleansing of a protected monument, and the doing of any act
which may be necessary for the purpose of preserving a protected monument or of securing
convenient access thereto;

(g) “owner” includes―

(i) a joint owner invested with powers of management on behalf of himself and other joint

owners and the successor-in-title of any such owner; and

(ii) any manager or trustee exercising powers of management and the successor-in-office

of any such manager or trustee;

(h) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

1[(ha) “prohibited area” means any area specified or declared to be a prohibited area under

section 20A;]

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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(i) “protected area” means any archaeological site and remains which is declared to be of

national importance by or under this Act;

(j) “protected monument” means an ancient monument which is declared to be of national

importance by or under this Act;

1[(k) “re-construction” means any erection of a structure or building to its pre-existing

structure, having the same horizontal and vertical limits;

(l) “regulated area” means any area specified or declared under section 20B;

(m) “repair and renovation” means alterations to a pre-existing structure or building, but shall

not include construction or re-construction.]

2[2A. [Construction of references to any law not in force in the State of Jammu and

Kashmir*.]―Omitted by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws)
_Order, 2020, vide notification No. S.O. 1123(E) dated (18-3-2020).]_

ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

**3. Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be of national importance.―All ancient and**

historical monuments and all archaeological sites and remains which have been declared by
the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of
National Importance) Act, 1951 (71 of 1951), or by section 126 of the States Reorganisation
Act, 1956 (37 of 1956), to be of national importance shall be deemed to be ancient and historical
monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared to be of national importance for the purposes
of this Act.

**4. Power of Central Government to declare ancient monuments, etc., to be of national**

**importance.―(1) Where the Central Government is of opinion that any ancient monument or**
archaeological site and remains not included in section 3 is of national importance, it may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, give two months’ notice of its intention to declare such ancient
monument or archaeological site and remains to be of national importance; and a copy of every such
notification shall be affixed in a conspicuous place near the monument or site and remains, as the case
may be.

(2) Any person interested in any such ancient monument or archaeological site and remains may,

within two months after the issue of the notification, object to the declaration of the monument, or the
archaeological site and remains, to be of national importance.

(3) On the expiry of the said period of two months, the Central Government may, after

considering the objections, if any, received by it, declare by notification in the Official Gazette, the
ancient monument or the archaeological site and remains, as the case may be, to be of national
importance.

(4) A notification published under sub-section (3) shall, unless and until it is withdrawn, be

conclusive evidence of the fact that the ancient monument or the archaeological site and remains to
which it relates is of national importance for the purposes of this Act.

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).
2. Ins. by Act 52 of 1972, s. 33 (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
*. Vide notification No. S.O. 3912(E), dated 30th October, 2019, this Act is made applicable to the Union territory of Jammu

and Kashmir and the Union territory of Ladakh.

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1[4A. Categorisation and classification in respect of ancient monuments or archaeological

**sites and remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4.―(1) The Central**
Government shall, on the recommendation of the Authority, prescribe categories in respect
of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under
sections 3 and 4, and while prescribing such categories it shall have regard to the historical,
archaeological and architectural value and such other factors as may be relevant for the purpose of
such categorisation.

(2) The Central Government shall, on the recommendation of the Authority, classify all the

ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under
sections 3 and 4, in accordance with the categories prescribed under sub-section (1) and thereafter
make the same available to the public and exhibit the same on its website and also in such other
manner as it may deem fit.]

PROTECTED MONUMENTS

**5. Acquisition of rights in a protected monument.―(1) The Director-General may, with the**

sanction of the Central Government, purchase, or take a lease of, or accept a gift or bequest of, any
protected monument.

(2) Where a protected monument is without an owner, the Director-General may, by notification

in the Official Gazette, assume the guardianship of the monument.

(3) The owner of any protected monument may, by written instrument, constitute the

Director-General the guardian of the monument, and the Director-General may, with the sanction of
the Central Government, accept such guardianship.

(4) When the Director-General has accepted the guardianship of a monument under

sub-section (3), the owner shall, except as expressly provided in this Act, have the same estate, right,
title and interest in and to the monument as if the Director-General had not been constituted a
guardian thereof.

(5) When the Director-General has accepted the guardianship of a monument under

sub-section (3), the provisions of this Act relating to agreements executed under section 6 shall apply
to the written to agreements executed under the said sub-section.

(6) Nothing in this section shall affect the use of any protected monument for customary religious

observances.

**6. Preservation of protected monument by agreement.―(1) The Collector, when so directed**

by the Central Government, shall propose to the owner of a protected monument to enter into an
agreement with the Central Government within a specified period for the maintenance of the
monument.

(2) An agreement under this section may provide for all or any of the following matters,

namely:―

(a) the maintenance of the monument;

(b) the custody of the monument and the duties of any person who may be employed to

watch it;

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 3 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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(c) the restriction of the owner’s right―

(i) to use the monument for any purpose,

(ii) to charge any fee for entry into, or inspection of, the monument,

(iii) to destroy, remove, alter or deface the monument, or

(iv) to build on or near the site of the monument;

(d) the facilities of access to be permitted to the public or any section thereof or to

archaeological officers or to persons deputed by the owner or any archaeological officer or the
Collector to inspect or maintain the monument;

(e) the notice to be given to the Central Government in case the land on which the monument

is situated or any adjoining land is offered for sale by the owner, and the right to be reserved to
the Central Government to purchase such land, or any specified portion of such land, at its market
value;

(f) the payment of any expenses incurred by the owner or by the Central Government in

connection with the maintenance of the monument;

(g) the proprietary or other rights which are to vest in the Central Government in respect of

the monument when any expenses are incurred by the Central Government in connection with the
maintenance of the monument;

(h) the appointment of an authority to decide any dispute arising out of the agreement; and

(i) any matter connected with the maintenance of the monument which is a proper subject of

agreement between the owner and the Central Government.

(3) The Central Government or the owner may, at any time after the expiration of three years from

the date of execution of an agreement under this section, terminate it on giving six months’ notice in
writing to the other party:

Provided that where the agreement is terminated by the owner, he shall pay to the Central

Government the expenses, if any, incurred by it on the maintenance of the monument during the five
years immediately preceding the termination of the agreement or, if the agreement has been in force
for a shorter period, during the period the agreement was in force.

(4) An agreement under this section shall be binding on any person claiming to be the owner of

the monument to which it relates, from, through or under a party by whom or on whose behalf the
agreement was executed.

**7. Owners under disability or not in possession.―(1) If the owner of a protected monument is**

unable, by reason of infancy or other disability, to act for himself, the son legally competent to act on
his behalf may exercise the powers conferred upon an owner by section 6.

(2) In the case of village property, the headman or other village officer exercising powers of

management over such property may exercise the powers conferred upon an owner by section 6.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to empower any person not being of the same religion

as the person on whose behalf he is acting to make or execute an agreement relating to a protected
monument which or any part of which is periodically used for the religious worship or observances of
that religion

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**8. Application of endowment to repair a protected monument.―(1) If any owner or other**

person competent to enter into an agreement under section 6 for the maintenance of a protected
monument refuses or fails to enter into such an agreement, and if any endowment has been created for
the purpose of keeping such monument in repair or for that purpose among others, the Central
Government may institute a suit in the court of the district judge, or, if the estimated cost of repairing
the monument does not exceed one thousand rupees, may make an application to the district judge, for
the proper application of such endowment or part thereof.

(2) On the hearing of an application under sub-section (1), the district judge may summon and

examine the owner and any person whose evidence appears to him necessary and may pass an order
for the proper application of the endowment or of any part thereof, and any such order may be
executed as if it were a decree of a civil court.

**9. Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement.―(1) If any owner or other person competent**

to enter into an agreement under section 6 for the maintenance of a protected monument refuses or
fails to enter into such an agreement, the Central Government may make an order providing for all or
any of the matters specified in sub-section (2) of section 6 and such order shall be binding on the
owner or such other person and on every person claiming title to the monument from, through or
under, the owner or such other person.

(2) Where an order made under sub-section (1) provides that the monument shall be maintained

by the owner or other person competent to enter into an agreement, all reasonable expenses for the
maintenance of the monument shall be payable by the Central Government.

(3) No order under sub-section (1) shall be made unless the owner or other person has been given

an opportunity of making a representation in writing against the proposed order.

**10. Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6.―(1) If the**

Director-General apprehends that the owner or occupier of a protected monument intends to destroy,
remove, alter, deface, imperil or misuse the monument or to build on or near the site thereof in
contravention of the terms of an agreement under section 6, the Director-General may, after giving the
owner or occupier an opportunity of making a representation in writing, make an order prohibiting
any such contravention of the agreement:

Provided that no such opportunity may be given in any case where the Director-General, for

reasons to be recorded, is satisfied that it is not expedient or practicable to do so.

(2) Any person aggrieved by an order under this section may appeal to the Central Government

within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed and the decision of the Central
Government shall be final.

**11. Enforcement of agreements.―(1) If an owner or other person who is bound by an agreement**

for the maintenance of a monument under section 6 refuses or fails within such reasonable time as the
Director-General may fix, to do any act which in the opinion of the Director-General is necessary for
the maintenance of the monument, the Director-General may authorise any person to do any such act,
and the owner or other person shall be liable to pay the expenses of doing any such act or such portion
of the expenses as the owner may be liable to pay under the agreement.

(2) If any dispute arises regarding the amount of expenses payable by the owner or other person

under sub-section (1), it shall be referred to the Central Government whose decision shall be final.

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**12. Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument**

**executed by owner.―Every person who purchases, at a sale for arrears of land revenue or any other**
public demand, any land on which is situated a monument in respect of which any instrument has
been executed by the owner for the time being under section 5 or section 6, and every person claiming
any title to a monument from, through or under, an owner who executed any such instrument, shall be
bound by such instrument.

**13. Acquisition of protected monuments.―If the Central Government apprehends**

that a protected monument is in danger of being destroyed, injured, misused, or allowed to fall
into decay, it may acquire the protected monument under the provisions of the Land Acquisition
Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), as if the maintenance of the protected monument were a public purpose within
the meaning of that Act.

**14. Maintenance of certain protected monuments.―(1) The Central Government shall**

maintain every monument which has been acquired under section 13 or in respect of which any of the
rights mentioned in section 5 have been acquired.

(2) When the Director-General has assumed the guardianship of a monument under section 5, he

shall, for the purpose of maintaining such monument, have access to the monument at all reasonable
times, by himself and by his agents, subordinates and workmen, for the purpose of inspecting the
monument and for the purpose of bringing such materials and doing such acts as he may consider
necessary or desirable for the maintenance thereof.

**15. Voluntary contributions.―The Director-General may receive voluntary contributions**

towards the cost of maintaining a protected monument and may give orders as to the management and
application of any funds so received by him:

Provided that no contribution received under this section shall be applied to any purpose other

than the purpose for which it was contributed.

**16. Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.―(1) A protected**

monument maintained by the Central Government under this Act which is a place of worship or
shrine shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its character.

(2) Where the Central Government has acquired a protected monument under section 13, or where

the Director-General has purchased, or taken a lease or accepted a gift or bequest or assumed
guardianship of, a protected monument under section 5, and such monument or any part thereof is
used for religious worship or observances by any community, the Collector shall make due provision
for the protection of such monument or part thereof, from pollution or desecration―

(a) by prohibiting the entry therein, except in accordance with the conditions prescribed with

the concurrence of the persons, if any, in religious charge of the said monument or part thereof, of
any person not entitled so to enter by the religious usages of the community by which the
monument or part thereof is used, or

(b) by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.

**17. Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument.―With the sanction of the Central**

Government, the Director-General may,―

(a) where rights have been acquired by the Director-General in respect of any monument

under this Act by virtue of any sale, lease, gift or will, relinquish, by notification in the Official
Gazette, the rights so acquired to the person who would for the time being be the owner of the
monument if such rights had not been acquired; or

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(b) relinquish any guardianship of a monument which he has assumed under this Act.

**18. Right of access to protected monuments.―Subject to any rules made under this Act, the**

public shall have a right of access to any protected monument.

PROTECTED AREAS

**19. Restictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas.―(1) No person, including**

the owner or occupier of a protected area, shall construct any building within the protected area or
carry on any mining, quarrying, excavating, blasting or any operation of a like nature in such area, or
utilise such area or any part thereof in any other manner without the permission of the Central
Government:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of any such area or

part thereof for purposes of cultivation if such cultivation does not involve the digging of not more
than one foot of soil from the surface.

(2) The Central Government may, by order, direct that any building constructed by any person

within a protected area in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be removed within a
specified period and, if the person refuses or fails to comply with the order, the Collector may cause
the building to be removed and the person shall be liable to pay the cost of such removal.

**20. Power to acquire a protected area.―If the Central Government is of opinion that any**

protected area contains an ancient monument or antiquities of national interest and value, it may
acquire such area under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), as if the
acquisition were for a public purpose within the meaning of that Act.

1

[PROHIBITED AND REGULATED AREAS

**20A. Declaration of prohibited area and carrying out public work or other works in**

**prohibited area.―Every area, beginning at the limit of the protected area or the protected monument,**
as the case may be, and extending to a distance of one hundred metres in all directions shall be the
prohibited area in respect of such protected area or protected monument:

Provided that the Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Authority, by

notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than one hundred metres to be the prohibited
area having regard to the classification of any protected monument or protected area, as the case may
be, under section 4A.

(2) Save as otherwise provided in section 20C, no person, other than an archaeological officer,

shall carry out any construction in any prohibited area.

(3) In a case where the Central Government or the Director-General, as the case may be, is

satisfied that―

(a) it is necessary or expedient for carrying out such public work or any project essential to

the public; or

(b) such other work or project, in its opinion, shall not have any substantial adverse impact on

the preservation, safety, security of, or, access to, the monument or its immediate surrounding,

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 4 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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it or he may, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), in exceptional cases and having
regard to the public interest, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, permit, such public
work or project essential to the public or other constructions, to be carried out in a prohibited area:

Provided that any area near any protected monument or its adjoining area declared, during the

period beginning on or after the 16th day of June, 1992 but ending before the date on which the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010,
receives the assent of the President, as a prohibited area in respect of such protected monument, shall
be deemed to be the prohibited area declared in respect of that protected monument in accordance
with the provisions of this Act and any permission or licence granted by the Central Government or
the Director-General, as the case may be, for the construction within the prohibited area on the basis
of the recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee, shall be deemed to have been validly
granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, as if this section had been in force at all
material times:

Provided further that nothing contained in the first proviso shall apply to any permission granted,

subsequent to the completion of construction or re-construction of any building or structure in any
prohibited area in pursuance of the notification of the Government of India in the Department of
Culture (Archaeological Survey of India) number S.O. 1764, dated the 16th June, 1992 issued under
rule 34 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, or, without
having obtained the recommendations of the Committee constituted in pursuance of the order of the
Government of India number 24/22/2006-M, dated the 20th July, 2006 (subsequently referred to as
the Expert Advisory Committee in orders dated the 27th August, 2008 and the 5th May, 2009).]

1[(4) No permission, referred to in sub-section (3), including carrying out any public work or

project essential to the public or other constructions, shall be granted in any prohibited area on and
after the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment
and Validation) Bill, 2010 receives the assent of the President.]

2[20B. Declaration of regulated area in respect of every protected monument.―Every area,

beginning at the limit of prohibited area in respect of every ancient monument and archaeological site
and remains, declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4 and extending to a distance of
two hundred metres in all directions shall be the regulated area in respect of every ancient monument
and archaeological site and remains:

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area

more than two hundred metres to be the regulated area having regard to the classification of any
protected monument or protected area, as the case may be, under section 4A:

Provided further that any area near any protected monument or its adjoining area declared, during

the period beginning on or after the 16th day of June, 1992 but ending before the date on which the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010,
receives the assent of the President, as a regulated area in respect of such protected monument, shall
be deemed to be the regulated area declared in respect of that protected monument in accordance with
the provisions of this Act and any permission or licence granted for construction in such regulated
area shall, be deemed to have been validly granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, as if
this section had been in force at all material times.]

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 5 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).
2. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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1[20C. Application for repair or renovation in prohibited area, or construction or

**re-construction or repair or renovation in regulated area.―(1) Any person, who owns any**
building or structure, which existed in a prohibited area before the 16th day of June, 1992, or, which
had been subsequently constructed with the approval of the Director-General and desires to carry out
any repair or renovation of such building or structure, may make an application to the competent
authority for carrying out such repair or renovation, as the case may be.

(2) Any person, who owns or possesses any building or structure or land in any regulated area,

and desires to carry out any construction or re-construction or repair or renovation of such building or
structure on such land, as the case may be, may make an application to the competent authority for
carrying out construction or re-construction or repair or renovation, as the case may be.

GRANT OF PERMISSION BY COMPETENT AUTHORITY

**20D. Grant of permission by competent authority within regulated area.―(1) Every**

application for grant of permission under section 20C of this Act shall be made to the competent
authority in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The competent authority shall, within fifteen days of the receipt of the application, forward the

same to the Authority to consider and intimate impact of such construction (including the impact of
large-scale development project, public project and project essential to the public) having regard to
the heritage bye-laws relating to the concerned protected monument or protected area, as the case
may be:

Provided that the Central Government may prescribe the category of applications in respect of

which the permission may be granted under this sub-section and the application which shall be
referred to the Authority for its recommendations.

(3) The Authority shall, within two months from the date of receipt of application under

sub-section (2), intimate to the competent authority impact of such construction (including the impact
of large-scale development project, public project and project essential to the public).

(4) The competent authority shall, within one month of the receipt of intimation from the

Authority under sub-section (3), either grant permission or refuse the same as so recommended by the
Authority.

(5) The recommendations of the Authority shall be final.

(6) In case the competent authority refuses to grant permission under this section, it shall, by order

in writing, after giving an opportunity to the concerned person, intimate such refusal within three
months from the date of receipt of the application to the applicant, the Central Government and the
Authority.

(7) If the competent authority, after grant of the permission under sub-section (4) and during the

carrying out of the repair or renovation work or re-construction of building or construction referred to
in that sub-section, is of the opinion (on the basis of material in his possession or otherwise) that such
repair or renovation work or re-construction of building or construction is likely to have an adverse
impact on the preservation, safety, security or access to the monument considerably, it may refer the
same to the Authority for its recommendations and if so recommended, withdraw the permission
granted under sub-section (4) if so required:

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 7 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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Provided that the competent authority may, in exceptional cases, with the approval of the

Authority grant permission to the applicant referred to in sub-section (2) of section 20C until the
heritage bye-laws have been prepared under sub-section (1) of section 20E and published under
sub-section (7) of that section.

(8) The Central Government, or the Director-General, as the case may be, shall exhibit, on their

website, all the permissions granted or refused under this Act.

**20E. Heritage bye-laws.―(1) The competent authority, in consultation with Indian**

National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage, being a trust registered under the Indian Trusts
Act, 1882 (2 of 1882), or such other expert heritage bodies as may be notified by the Central
Government, shall prepare heritage bye-laws in respect of each protected monument and protected
area.

(2) The heritage bye-laws referred to in sub-section (1) shall, in addition to such matters as may

be prescribed, include matters relating to heritage controls such as elevations, facades, drainage
systems, roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and sewer pipelines).

(3) The Central Government shall, by rules, specify the manner of preparation of detailed site

plans in respect of each protected area or protected monument or prohibited area or regulated area, the
time within which such heritage bye-laws shall be prepared and particulars to be included in each
such heritage bye-laws.

(4) The competent authority for the purpose of preparation of detailed site plans and heritage

bye-laws may appoint such number of experts or consultants as it may deem fit.

(5) A copy of each of the heritage bye-laws prepared under sub-section (1) shall be forwarded to

the Authority for its approval.

(6) A copy of the heritage bye-laws as approved by the Authority under sub-section (5) shall be

laid before each House of Parliament.

(7) Each heritage bye-laws shall, be made available by the competent authority to the public, by

exhibiting the same on its website and also in such other manner as it may deem fit, immediately after
laying the same before each House of Parliament.

NATIONAL MONUMENTS AUTHORITY

**20F. Constitution of National Monuments Authority.―(1) The Central Government shall, by**

notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an Authority to be called as the National Monuments
Authority.

(2) The Authority shall consist of,―

(a) 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;

(b) such number of members not exceeding five whole-time members and five part-time

members to be appointed, on the recommendation 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;

(c) the Director-General as member, ex officio.

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(3) The tenure of the whole-time Chairperson or every whole-time member and every part-time

member, of the Authority shall be three years from the date on which he assumes office as such and
shall not be eligible for re-appointment:

Provided that, save as otherwise provided in clause (c) of sub-section (2), any person who has

held any post in the Archaeological Survey of India or in the Ministry of Culture of the Government
of India or a State Government or has not been found fit to be considered for being appointed to any
such post shall, not be eligible to be appointed as the Chairperson or a member of the Authority:

Provided further that any person, who had either been granted a permission or licence or refused

any such permission or refused grant of a licence or any person or any of his relative having any
interest in a prohibited area or a regulated area shall not be eligible to be appointed as a Chairperson
or member.

_Explanation.―For the purposes of this section, “relative” means―_

(i) spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(ii) brother or sister of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(iii) brother or sister of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(iv) brother or sister of either of the parents of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(v) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(vi) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the

Authority;

(vii) spouse of the person referred to in clauses (ii) to (vi);

(4) An officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, shall be the

Member Secretary of the Authority.

(5) The Central Government shall provide such number of officers and other employees as may be

necessary for discharge of functions by the Authority under this Act.

**20G. Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority.―(1) Every whole-time**

member and every part-time member of the Authority shall be selected by a Selection Committee
consisting of the following persons, namely:―

(a) Cabinet Secretary―Chairperson, ex officio;

(b) Secretary in the Ministry of Culture―member, ex officio;

(c) Secretary in the Ministry of Urban development―member, ex officio;

(d) three experts, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology,

architecture, heritage or conservation-architecture to be nominated by the Central Government.

(2) The Selection Committee referred to in sub-section (1) shall regulate its own procedure for the

purposes of selecting whole-time members and part-time members of the Authority.

**20H. Salary, allowances and meetings of Authority.―(1) The salaries and allowances payable**

to the whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members, and the other terms and conditions of their
service or fees or allowances payable to the part-time members, of the Authority shall be such as may
be prescribed:

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Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of

the whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members shall be varied to their disadvantage after their
appointment.

(2) The Authority shall regulate its own procedure for the purposes of holding its meetings

(including quorum of such meetings) and granting permissions under this Act.

(3) All the decisions of the Authority shall be published in such manner as it may decide and also

on its own website and on the website of the Central Government.

**20-I. Functions and powers of Authority.―(1) The Authority shall exercise or discharge the**

following powers or functions, namely:―

(a) make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected

monuments and protected areas declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4, before
the commencement of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
(Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 (10 of 2010);

(b) make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected

monuments and protected areas which may be declared after the commencement of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation)
Act, 2010 (10 of 2010), as of national importance under section 4;

(c) oversee the working of the competent authorities;.

(d) to suggest measures for implementation of the provisions of this Act;

(e) 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;

(f) to make recommendations to the competent authority for grant of permission.

(2) The Authority shall, for the purpose of discharging functions under this Act, have the same

powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) while trying
a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:―

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(c) any other matter which may be prescribed.

**20J. Removal of Chairperson and members.―(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in**

sub-section (3) of section 20F, the President in the case of the Chairperson and the Central
Government in the case of whole-time member and part-time member may, by order, remove from
office, the Chairperson or any such member of the Authority, if he―

(a) has been adjudged an insolvent; or

(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government,

involves moral turpitude; or

(c) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as Chairperson or member; or

(d) has acquired such financial or other interests as is likely to affect prejudicially his

functions; or

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(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public

interest.

(2) The Chairperson or any member of the Authority shall not be removed under clauses (d)

and (e) of sub-section (1) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the
matter.

**20K. Restriction on future employment by Chairperson and members.―On ceasing to hold**

office, the Chairperson or whole-time member of the Authority, as the case may be, shall, subject to
the provisions of this Act, be ineligible, for a period of five years from the date on which they cease to
hold office, for further employment (including as consultant or expert or otherwise) in any institution,
agency or organisation of any nature mainly dealing with archaeology, country and town planning,
architecture, heritage and conservation-architecture or whose matters had been before the Chairperson
or such member.

**20L. Power of Central Government to issue directions to Authority.―(1) Without prejudice**

to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Authority shall, in exercise of its powers or the discharge
of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on question of policy, other than those
relating to technical and administrative matters, as the Central Government may give in writing to it
from time to time:

Provided that the Authority shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its

views before any direction is given under this sub-section.

(2) The decision of the Central Government, whether a question is one of policy or not, shall be

final.

**20M. Power of Central Government to issue directions to competent authority.―Without**

prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the competent authority shall, in exercise of its
powers or the discharge of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions, as the Central
Government may give in writing to it from time to time.

**20N. Power of Central Government to supersede Authority.―(1) If, at any time the Central**

Government is of the opinion,―

(a) that, on account of circumstances beyond the control of the Authority, it is unable to

discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this
Act; or

(b) that the Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the

Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the
duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act and as a result of such default the
financial position of the Authority or the administration of the Authority has suffered; or

(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do,

the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the Authority for such
period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification and appoint a person or
persons as the President may direct to exercise powers and discharge functions under this Act:

Provided that before issuing any such notification, the Central Government shall give a reasonable

opportunity to the Authority to make representations against the proposed supersession and shall
consider the representations, if any, of the Authority.

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(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Authority,―

(a) the Chairperson and all other whole-time members and part-time members shall, as from

the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be

exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Authority shall, until the Authority is reconstituted
under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the person or persons referred to in
sub-section (1); and

(c) all properties owned or controlled by the Authority shall, until the Authority is

reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.

(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued

under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall reconstitute the Authority by a fresh appointment
of its Chairperson and other whole-time members and part-time members and in such case any person
who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified,
subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 20F for reappointment for the remaining period.

(4) The Central Government shall cause a copy of the notification issued under sub-section (1)

and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to
be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.

**20-O. Bar of jurisdiction of civil court.―No civil court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any**

matter which the Authority is empowered by or under this Act to determine and no injunction shall be
granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of
any power conferred by or under this Act.

**20P. Annual report.―(1) The Authority shall prepare once in every year, in such form and at**

such time as may be prescribed by the Central Government, an annual report giving full description of
all the activities of the Authority for the previous year.

(2) A copy of the report received under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is

received, before each House of Parliament.

**20Q. Power to call for information.―Where the Central Government considers it expedient so**

to do, it may, by order in writing call upon the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may
be, to furnish in writing such information, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, relating to
its affairs as the Central Government may require.]

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS

**21. Excavations in protected areas.―An archaeological officer or an officer authorised by him**

in this behalf or any person holding a licence granted in this behalf under this Act (hereinafter referred
to as the licensee) may, after giving notice in writing to the Collector and the owner, enter upon and
make excavations in any protected area.

**22. Excavations in areas other than protected areas.―Where an archaeological officer has**

reason to believe that any area not being a protected area contains ruins or relies of historical or
archaeological importance, he or an officer authorised by him in this behalf may, after giving notice in
writing to the Collector and the owner, enter upon and make excavations in the area.

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**23.** **Compulsory** **purchase** **of** **antiquities,** **etc.,** **discovered** **during** **excavation**

**operations.―(1) Where, as a result of any excavations made in any area under section 21 or**
section 22, any antiquities are discovered, the archaeological officer or the licensee, as the case may
be, shall,―

(a) as soon as practicable, examine such antiquities and submit a report to the Central

Government in such manner and containing such particulars as may be prescribed;

(b) at the conclusion of the excavation operations, give notice in writing to the owner of the

land from which such antiquities have been discovered, of the nature of such antiquities.

(2) Until an order for the [1][compulsory acquisition] of any such antiquities is made under

sub-section (3), the archaeological officer or the licensee, as the case may be, shall keep them in such
safe custody as he may deem fit.

(3) On receipt of a report under sub-section (1), the Central Government may make an order for

the [2][compulsory acquisition of any such antiquities].

(4) When an order for the [1][compulsory acquisition] of any antiquities is made under

sub-section (3), such antiquities shall rest in the Central Government with effect from the date of the
order.

**24. Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes.―No State Government shall undertake or**

authorise any person to undertake any excavation or other like operation for archaeological purposes
in any area which is not a protected area except with the previous approval of the Central Government
and in accordance with such rules or directions, if any, as the Central Government may make or give
in this behalf.

PROTECTION OF ANTIQUITIES

**25. Power of Central Government to control moving of antiquities.―(1) If the Central**

Government considers that any antiquities or class of antiquities ought not to be moved from the place
where they are without the sanction of the Central Government, the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any such antiquity or any class of such antiquities shall
not be moved except with the written permission of the Director-General.

(2) Every application for permission under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and contain such

particulars as may be prescribed.

(3) Any person aggrieved by an order refusing permission may appeal to the Central Government

whose decision shall be final.

**26. Purchase of antiquities by Central Government.―(1) If the Central Government**

apprehends that any antiquity mentioned in a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 is
in danger of being destroyed, removed, injured, misused or allowed to fall into decay or is of opinion
that, by reason of its historical or archaeological importance, it is desirable to preserve such antiquity
in a public place, the Central Government may make an order for the [3][compulsory acquisition of such
antiquity] and the Collector shall thereupon give notice to the owner of the antiquity [4][to be acquired].

1. Subs. by Act 52 of 1972, s. 33, for “compulsory purchase” (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
2. Subs. by s. 33, ibid., for “compulsory purchase of any such antiquities at their market value” (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
3. Subs. by s. 33, ibid., for “compulsory purchase of such antiquity at its market value” (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
4. Subs. by s. 33, ibid., for “to be purchased” (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).

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(2) Where a notice of [1][compulsory acquisition] is issued under sub-section (1) in respect of any

antiquity, such antiquity shall vest in the Central Government with effect from the date of the notice.

(3) The power of [1][compulsory acquisition] given by this section shall not extend to any image or

symbol actually used for bona fide religious observances.

PRINCIPLES OF COMPENSATION

**27. Compensation for loss or damage.―Any owner or occupier of land who has sustained any**

loss or damage or any diminution of profits from the land by reason of any entry on, or excavations in,
such land or the exercise of any other power conferred by this Act shall be paid compensation by the
Central Government for such loss, damage or diminution of profits.

**28. Assessment of market value or compensation.―(1) The market value of any property**

which the Central Government is empowered to purchase at such value under this Act or the
compensation to be paid by the Central Government in respect of anything done under this Act
shall, where any dispute arises in respect of such market value or compensation, be ascertained in
the manner provided in sections 3, 5, 8 to 34, 45 to 47, 51 and 52 of the Land Acquisition
Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), so far as they can be made applicable:

Provided that, when making an enquiry under the said Land Acquisition Act, the Collector shall

be assisted by two assessors, one of whom shall be a competent person nominated by the Central
Government and one a person nominated by the owner, or, in case the owner fails to nominate an
assessor within such reasonable time as may be fixed by the Collector in this behalf, by the Collector.

2[(2) For every antiquity in respect of which an order for compulsory acquisition has been

made under sub-section (3) of section 23 or under sub-section (1) of section 26, there shall be paid
compensation and the provisions of sections 20 and 22 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures
Act, 1972 (52 of 1972) shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to the determination and payment of
such compensation as they apply in relation to the determination and payment of compensation for
any antiquity or art treasure compulsorily acquired under section 19 of that Act.]

MISCELLANEOUS

**29. Delegation of powers.―The Central Government may, by notification in the Official**

Gazette, direct that any powers conferred on it by or under this Act shall, subject to such conditions as
may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also by―

(a) such officer or authority subordinate to the Central Government, or

(b) such State Government or such officer or authority subordinate to the State Government,

as may be specified in the direction.

**30. Penalties.―(1) Whoever—**

(i) destroys, removes, injures, alters, defaces, imperils or misuses a protected monument, or

(ii) being the owner or occupier of a protected monument, contravenes an order made under

sub-section (1) of section 9 or under sub-section (1) of section 10, or

(iii) removes from a protected monument any sculpture carving, image, bas-relief, inscription,

or other like object, or

(iv) does any act in contravention of sub-section (1) of section 19,

1. Subs. by Act 52 of 1972, s. 33, for “compulsory purchase” (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).
2. Subs. by s. 33, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 5-4-1976).

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shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with [1][imprisonment
which may extend to two years], or with [2][fine which may extend to one lakh rupees], or with both.

(2) Any person who moves any antiquity in contravention of a notification issued under

sub-section (1) of section 25 shall be punishable with [3][imprisonment which may extend to two years
or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both]; and the court convicting a person of
any such contravention may by order direct such person to restore the antiquity to the place from
which it was moved.

4[30A. Punishment for construction, etc., in prohibited area.―Whoever raises, on and after

the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and
Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, any construction in the prohibited area,
shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years or with fine which may extend to one
lakh rupees or with both.

**30B. Punishment for construction, etc., in regulated area.―Whoever raises, on and after the**

date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and
Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, any construction in the regulated area
without the previous permission of the competent authority or in contravention of the permission
granted by the competent authority, shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years or
with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both.

**30C. Offences by officers of Government.―If any officer of the Central Government enters into**

or acquiesces in any agreement to do, abstains from doing, permits, conceals or connives at any act or
thing whereby any construction or re-construction takes place in a prohibited area or regulated area,
he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or
with both.]

**31. Jurisdiction to try offences.―No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a**

magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act.

**32. Certain offences to be cognizable.―Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of**

Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), an offence under clause (i) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1)
of section 30, shall be deemed to be a cognizable offence within the meaning of that Code.

**33. Special provision regarding fine.―Notwithstanding anything contained in section 32 of the**

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), it shall be lawful for any magistrate of the first class
specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf and for any presidency magistrate to pass
a sentence of fine exceeding two thousand rupees on any person convicted of an offence which under
this Act is punishable with fine exceeding two thousand rupees.

**34. Recovery of amounts due to the Government.―Any amount due to the Government from**

any person under this Act may, on a certificate issued by the Director-General or an archaeological
officer authorised by him in this behalf be recovered in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.

1. Subs. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 8, for “imprisonment which may extend to three months” (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for “fine which may extend to five thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).
3. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for “fine which may extend to five thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).
4. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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**35. Ancient monuments, etc., which have ceased to be of national importance.―If the Central**

Government is of opinion that any ancient and historical monument or archaeological site and remains
declared to be of national importance by or under this Act has ceased to be of national importance, it
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the ancient and historical monument or
archaeological site and remains, as the case may be, has ceased to be of national importance for the
purposes of this Act.

1[35A. Obligation to survey the protected prohibited area and regulated areas.―(1) The

Director-General shall, within such time as may be specified by the Central Government, conduct a
survey or cause survey to be conducted in respect of all prohibited areas and regulated areas for the
purpose of detailed site plans.

(2) A report in respect of such survey referred to in sub-section (1) shall be forwarded to the

Central Government and to the Authority.

**35B. Identification of unauthorised constructions on or after 16th June, 1992.―(1) The**

Director-General shall, within such time as may be specified by the Central Government, identify
or cause to be identified, all constructions (of whatever nature) made on and after the 16th day of
June, 1992 in all prohibited areas and regulated areas and, thereafter, submit from time to time a
report in respect thereof to the Central Government.

(2) The Director-General shall, for the purposes of sub-section (1), have the power to call for

information from the local bodies and other authorities.]

**36. Power to correct mistakes, etc.―Any clerical mistake, patent error or error arising from**

accidental slip or omission in the description of any ancient monument or archaeological site and
remains declared to be of national importance by or under this Act may, at any time, be corrected by
the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

**37. Protection of action taken under the Act.―No suit for compensation and no criminal**

proceeding shall lie against any public servant in respect of any act done or in good faith intended to
be done in the exercise of any power conferred by this Act.

**38. Power to make rule.―(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official**

Gazette and subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules for carrying out the purposes
of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:―

(a) the prohibition or regulation by licensing or otherwise of mining, quarrying, excavating

blasting or any operation of a like nature near a protected monument or the construction of
buildings on land adjoining such monument and the removal of unauthorised buildings;

(b) the grant of licences and permissions to make excavations for archaeological purposes in

protected areas, the authorities by whom, and the restrictions and conditions subject to which,
such licences may be granted, the taking of securities from licensees and the fees that may be
charged for such licensees;

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 10 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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(c) the right of access of the public to a protected monument and the fee, if any, to be charged

therefore;

1[(ca) the categories of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains, declared as of

national importance, under sub-section (1) of section 4A;

(cb) the manner of making application for grant of permission under sub-section (1) of

section 20D;

(cc) the category of applications in respect of which the permission may be granted and

applications which shall be referred to the Authority for its recommendation, under
sub-section (2) of section 20D;

(cd) the other matters including heritage controls such as elevations, facades, drainage

systems, roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and sewer pipelines)
under sub-section (2) of section 20E;

(ce) the manner of preparation of detailed site plans in respect of each prohibited area and

regulated area and the time within which such heritage bye-laws shall be prepared and particulars
to be included in each such heritage bye-laws under sub-section (3) of section 20E;

(cf) salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the

whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members, or fees or allowances payable to the part-time
members, of the Authority under sub-section (1) of section 20H;

(cg) the form in which and time at which the Authority shall prepare an annual report giving

full description of its activities for the previous year under section 20P;

(ch) the form and manner in which the Authority and competent authority shall furnish

information to the Central Government under section 20Q;]

(d) the form and contents of the report of an archaeological officer or a licensee under

clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 23;

(e) the form in which applications for permission under section 19 or section 25 may be made

and the particulars which they should contain;

(f) the form and manner of preferring appeals under this Act and the time within which they

may be preferred;

(g) the manner of service of any order or notice under this Act;

(h) the manner in which excavations and other like operations for archaeological purposes

may be carried on;

(i) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

(3) Any rule made under this section may provide that a breach thereof shall be punishable,―

(i) in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (a) of sub-section (2), with

imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand
rupees, or with both;

(ii) in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (b) of sub-section (2), with fine which

may extend to five thousand rupees;

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, s. 11 (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

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(iii) in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (c) of sub-section (2), with fine which

may extend to five hundred rupees.

1[(4) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be

after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days
which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the
expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both
Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be
made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case
may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the
validity of anything previously done under that rule.]

**39. Repeals and savings.―(1) The Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites**

and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951 (71 of 1951), and section 126 of the
States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (37 of 1956), are hereby repealed.

(2) The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 (7 of 1904), shall cease to have effect in

relation to ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared by or
under this Act to be of national importance, except as respects things done or omitted to be done
before the commencement of this Act.

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2005, s. 2 and the Schedule, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 11-1-2005).

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