By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a bid to protect and preserve the endangered heritage sites of the State, the Cabinet on Thursday approved the Meghalaya Heritage Bill, 2011.
Announcing the Cabinet decision, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday said, “This Bill is introduced to conserve the heritage sites including buildings, artefacts and structures.”
The Bill has been passed with the intent to protect and conserve the heritage sites of Meghalaya which is blessed with many natural sites and features such as caves, rivers and landscapes linked with the legends relating to the cultural past.
The proposed Act will be extended to the whole of the State, Ampareen informed. To enforce the Act, the Meghalaya Heritage Authority, under the chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary will be constituted which will also include other officials and experts.
Ampareen said that the Heritage Authority will administer the conservation and protection of heritage sites, besides preparing the heritage conservation plans and monitoring their implementation.
Once the Act is implemented, all planning permissions and building licenses affecting heritage sites will be issued only by the Meghalaya Heritage Authority, Ampareen informed.
“On enactment of the Act, the State Government will be in a position to conserve the heritage assets of importance in the State,” she said, while adding that under this Act, anyone who contravenes the rules and regulations laid down under the Act, is liable to be penalized by way of monetary penalty or imprisonment.