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The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

Central

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.

Act number
24 of 1958
Ministry
Ministry of Culture
Enacted
28 Aug 1958

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

63 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 2AConstruction of references to any law not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
  4. Section 3Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be of national importance.
  5. Section 4Power of Central Government to declare ancient monuments, etc., to be of national importance.
  6. Section 4ACategorisation and classification in respect of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4.
  7. Section 5Acquisition of rights in a protected monument.
  8. Section 6Preservation of protected monument by agreement.
  9. Section 7Owners under disability or not in possession.
  10. Section 8Application of endowment to repair a protected monument.
  11. Section 9Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement.
  12. Section 10Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6.
  13. Section 11Enforcement of agreements.
  14. Section 12Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner.
  15. Section 13Acquisition of protected monuments.
  16. Section 14Maintenance of certain protected monuments.
  17. Section 15Voluntary contributions.
  18. Section 16Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.
  19. Section 17Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument.
  20. Section 18Right of access to protected monuments.
  21. Section 19Restrictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas.
  22. Section 20Power to acquire a protected area.
  23. Section 20ADeclaration of prohibited area and carrying out public work or other works in prohibited area
  24. Section 20BDeclaration of regulated area in respect of every protected monument.
  25. Section 20CApplication for repair or renovation in prohibited area, or construction or re-construction or repair or renovation in regulated area.
  26. Section 20DGrant of permission by competent authority within regulated area.
  27. Section 20EHeritage bye-laws.
  28. Section 20FConstitution of National Monuments Authority.
  29. Section 20GSelection Committee for selection of members of Authority.
  30. Section 20HSalary, allowances and meetings of Authority.
  31. Section 20-IFunctions and powers of Authority
  32. Section 20JRemoval of Chairperson and members.
  33. Section 20KRestriction on future employment by Chairperson and members.
  34. Section 20LPower of Central Government to issue directions to Authority.
  35. Section 20MPower of Central Government to issue directions to competent authority.
  36. Section 20NPower of Central Government to supersede Authority.
  37. Section 20-OBar of jurisdiction of civil court.
  38. Section 20PAnnual report.
  39. Section 20QPower to call for information.
  40. Section 21Excavations in protected areas.
  41. Section 22Excavations in areas other than protected areas.
  42. Section 23Compulsory purchase of antiquities, etc., discovered during excavation operations.
  43. Section 24Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes.
  44. Section 25Power of Central Government to control moving of antiquities.
  45. Section 26Purchase of antiquities by Central Government.
  46. Section 27Compensation for loss or damage.
  47. Section 28Assessment of market value or compensation.
  48. Section 29Delegation of powers.
  49. Section 30Penalties.
  50. Section 30APunishment for construction, etc., in prohibited area.
  51. Section 30BPunishment for construction, etc., in regulated area.
  52. Section 30COffences by officers of Government.
  53. Section 31Jurisdiction to try offences.
  54. Section 32Certain offences to be cognizable.
  55. Section 33Special provision regarding fine.
  56. Section 34Recovery of amounts due to the Government.
  57. Section 35Ancient monuments, etc., which have ceased to be of national importance.
  58. Section 35AObligation to survey the protected prohibited area and regulated areas.
  59. Section 35BIdentification of unauthorised constructions on or after 16th June, 1992.
  60. Section 36Power to correct mistakes, etc.
  61. Section 37Protection of action taken under the Act.
  62. Section 38Power to make rule.
  63. Section 39Repeals and savings.