20-A. Power to enter upon and make excavation in a protected area.

(1) Any officer of the Archaeological Department or any person holding a licence under section 20-B may, with the written permission of the Deputy Commissioner of the District or in the case of Ladakh District, the Deputy Commissioner of that District, enter upon and make excavations in any protected area. (2) Where in the exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) the rights of any person are infringed by the occupation or disturbance of the surface of any land, the Government shall pay to that person compensation for the infringement.