Team Herald
Panjim: The State Government has constituted a co-ordination committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to monitor the restoration, conservation and developmental works at the Old Goa World Heritage Site that houses 14 monuments.
The Committee also has powers to make necessary recommendations to the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with regards to the monuments.
The move comes at the backdrop of issue surrounding the restoration of the Basilica of Bom Jesus involving ASI, who are the restorers, conservators, protectors and sole caretakers of the Basilica.
The Rector of the Church had earlier accused ASI of neglecting the conservation of the Basilica, which witnessed major uproar in Goa, following which the State government was forced to intervene in the matter.
The CM is the Chairman of the Committee, while the Deputy CM Chandrakant Kavlekar, who is also the Minister for Archives and Archaeology, has been appointed as the committee’s Vice- Chairman.
The representatives of various departments like Tourism, PWD, Electricity, Archives and Archaeology, North Goa District Administration, Home Department, TCP, Archdiocese of Goa, and ASI, as its members.
“There was lack of coordination between Church, ASI and the government on various fronts like security and safety of devotees, traffic movement, structural resto-ration, CCTV monitoring, electrical works and other basic amenities,” sources said.
While, ASI was the caretaker of the Basilica, the Archdiocese wanted that they should be taken into consultation in every decision with regards to restoration and conservation of the site, sources said, while adding that the State government had no powers to intervene directly.
Sources further said that the committee will help in ensuring better and proper coordination amongst various agencies, which will be on single platform, with regards to restoration, conservation and developmental works at the Old Goa World Heritage Site.
Sources added that the Committee will also ensure proper monitoring and regulation of developmental works in the protected or regulated areas on the Heritage site.
