Maha govt lays down norms for setting up of memorials

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today laid down norms for erecting memorials of national leaders, freedom fighters, saints, historical personalities and politicians.
A Government Resolution (GR) that lays down the norms and guidelines for the construction of memorials was today issued.
As per the policy, there will not be more than two memorials of a national leader in the state.
"Also, these two memorials will be erected in two separate administrative divisions. If any monument is constructed without prior approval of the state Urban Development Department, then such a structure shall be removed," the GR states.
The policy states that in case more than two memorials are to be erected, then it is the responsibility of the institution making such a demand to provide the land for it and bear its construction cost. "The government will not provide monetary assistance for the construction," it states.

The GR said the guidelines are only meant for memorials of national leaders and venerable leaders.

"In respect of memorials of other prominent personalities the respective concerned departments of Urban Development, Rural Development and Water Resources Department shall issue guidelines to this effect," it states.
It also said that the memorial should not be just in the form of a statue, but should be constructed in the form of schools, colleges, hospitals, multipurpose auditoriums, research centres, libraries, reading rooms, hostels and other institutions meant for public use.
"The memorials should be constructed in such a way that highlight the facets of the lives of the national leaders and venerated tall leaders," it states.

Also, efforts should be made to make them attractive tourist destinations. Instead of constructing memorials attempts should be made to start new socially relevant schemes in the name of the national leaders.
In case a demand is made for declaring certain monument
as a 'national monument', the department shall investigate it and then send a recommendation to the Centre, it added.
A committee headed by the Chief Minister shall look into the issue of monuments to be constructed by the state government.
The committee shall comprise concerned minister, guardian minister, MLA, historian, architect, social worker and others. The panel shall place its recommendations before the state cabinet, which will take the final decision.

"The responsibility of maintenance of the monument shall be fixed before the construction of the monument. A district-level committee will conduct a preliminary inspection before the construction of the monument," it said.
This committee shall consist of district collector, superintendent of police, town planner, executive engineer, chief executive officer of the Zilla Parishad, officer of the Archeology Department, Department of Archives, architect, Directorate of Art and prominent personalities of that district, where the monument is to be constructed, it added.
The GR further states that the committee shall send its report about the availability of land and compliance with the guidelines within a month to the department concerned.