PANJIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had failed to live up to the responsibility placed on it in protecting historical sites of heritage value.
Accusing ASI of neglect of the Old Goa heritage zone, AAP general secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar said in a letter to the superintending archaeologist with copies to the Secretary, Art and Culture Ministry, besides the CS of Goa and other local authorities, that a visit to the area had shown official dumping of garbage around the complex by a contractor appointed by the panchayat.
“There was no control over the vendors who were growing and injustice was caused to local vendors. AAP also accuses the ASI of allowing the situation to deteriorate and that in case UNESCO downgrades the heritage status of the site, ASI along with the non-functioning state government would be responsible,” Padgaonkar said.
