Jagmohan wants all shrines under Centre’s control

Blame it on the forthcoming elections or simple stubbornness. There were few takers for Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Jagmohan’...

Blame it on the forthcoming elections or simple stubbornness. There were few takers for Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Jagmohan’s proposal to beef up legislations for better management of religious shrines and place of historical importance.

At a meeting of state culture ministers called by Jagmohan today, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh said — no thank you we do have the necessary legislation, while Tamil Nadu was not supportive of the move at all.

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With the exception of Punjab, there were few who were willing to change. It is learnt Jagmohan held his ground and said these are important destinations for domestic tourists and integral source of our cultural fabric.

The minister also felt, the facilities available at many states leave much to be desired. There was need to improve the management of these places and create better convenience for pilgrims and visitors, sources in the ministry said.

The minister also asked the states to consider enacting suitable legislation on the model of Vaishno Devi shrine in J-K to ensure orderliness and security in such places.

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Jagmohan also indicated that the Centre was keen to set up multi-purpose cultural complexes all over the country in joint collaboration with the states — some of which are already in place in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala to name a few.

The Centre is also willing to bear 80 per cent of the costs involved in the upkeep of museums dealing with antiquities and other rare cultural artefacts, the minister said.