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Private bodies adopt monuments as part of CSR

The tourist sites taken over by private entities as part of CSR activities in response to the Ministry of Tourism's 'Adopt A Monument' initiative

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SBI Foundation will look after Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
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Online travel agency Yatra Online Pvt Limited will take over the maintenance of the 16th century Leh Palace and UNESCO world heritage site Hampi for the next five years, while the SBI Foundation will look after Delhi's Jantar Mantar. These were some of the tourist sites taken over by private entities as part of CSR activities in response to the Ministry of Tourism's 'Adopt A Monument' initiative.

The officials said that since the announcement of the initiative on September 27, over 57 proposals were sent to the ministry by private companies, of which seven companies were given the responsibilities of maintaining over 14 monuments. These companies will be known as 'Monument Mitras', and will help the ministry in the upkeep of the sites. In return, the ministry said that the companies will be allowed to advertise in the premises as per the ASI rules.

Earlier, 14 PSUs including the Steel Authority of India (SAI), Indian Oil, UCO Bank, ONGC, had adopted over 18 monuments, including the monuments at Lodi Gardens, Khajuraho Temples, and the Ahom Monuments in Assam. DNA had reported about the initiative earlier also.

Other monuments that will be taken up include the Qutub Minar and Ajanta Caves which will be maintained by Yatra, and Mattancherry Palace Museum, and Safdarjung Tomb to be maintained by the Travel Corporation of India Ltd. Adventure Tour Operator Association of India will take over the Gangotri Temple area and trail to Gaumukh and Mt. Stok Kangri, while TK International Limited will adopt the Sun Temple, Raja Rani Temple and Ratnagiri Monuments. Agrasen Ki Baoli will be taken over by Special Holidays Travel Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Rotary Club of Delhi, while the NBCC was shortlisted for the adoption of Purana Qila.

While handing over the letters of intent to the private companies at the closing ceremony of the Paryatan Parv, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, in a similar fashion, over 400 railway stations will be taken over by PSUs under the railway ministry."Today about 400 stations are on anvil under the Ministry of Railways, some contracts have already been awarded. Because of that, the rebuilding of several of these railway stations is underway. In some cases, airports too will be taken up," informed Jaitley.

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