Chapter III Chapter III

Voluntary Contributions

The State Archaeological Officer may receive voluntary contributions towards the cost of maintaining a protected monument or archaeological site and remains and may give orders as to the management and application of any funds so received by him.

Protection of place of worship from pollution, misuse, desecration etc

1. (1) A protected monument or archaeological site and remains maintained by the State Government which is a place of worship or shrine shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its character.
2. (2) Where the State Government has acquired a protected monument or archaeological site and remains under Section 12 or where the State Archaeological Officer has purchased or taken a lease of protected monument or archaeological site and remains under section 5, and such monument or archaeological site and remains, or any part thereof is used for religious worship or observances by any community, the Collector shall make due provision for the protection of such monument or archaeological site and remains or part thereof from pollution or desecration-
   • (i) by prohibiting entry therein, except, in accordance with the conditions prescribed with the concurrence of persons if any, in religious charge of the said monument, or archaeological site and remains, or part thereof, of any person not entitled to enter by the religious usages of the community by which the monument or archaeological site and remains or part thereof is used; or
   • (ii) by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.

With the sanction of the State Government the State Archaeological Officer may :

1. (a) where rights have been acquired by the State Government in respect of any monument or archaeological site and remains under this Act by virtue of any sale, lease, gift or will, relinquish by notification, in the Official Gazette, the rights so acquired to the person who would for the time being be the owner of the monument or archaeological site and remains if such rights had not been acquired; or
2. (b) relinquish any guardianship of a monument or archaeological site and remains which he has assumed under this Act.

Subject to the rules made under this Act, the public shall have right of access to any protected monument or archaeological site and remains.

An owner or occupier of land who has sustained any loss or damage by reason of an entry on such land or the exercise of any other power conferred by this Act, shall be paid compensation by the State Government for such loss or damage.

The market value of any property which the State Government is empowered to purchase at such value under this Act, or the compensation to be paid by the State Govt. in respect of anything done under this Act, shall, where any dispute arises in respect of such market value or compensation, be ascertained in the manner provided in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Act 1 of 1894) so far as the provision thereof can be made applicable. Provided that when making an enquiry under the Land Acquisition Act, the Collector shall be assisted by two assessors, one of whom shall be a competent person nominated by the owner, or in case the owner fails to nominate any assessor within such reasonable time as may be fixed by the Collector in this behalf, by the Collector.