To boost tourism, experts say better security needed at heritage sites, ministry says law and order a ‘state subject’
NEW DELHI: The Union tourism ministry's renewed efforts to enhance safety for overseas tourists in India, in the aftermath of the attack on the Swiss couple in Fatehpur Sikri last month, has resulted in the revival of a long-pending proposal to depute the Central Industrial Security Force at key heritage monuments in the country.
At present, CISF personnel guard important heritage monuments like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Salar Jung museum in Hyderabad, and the Red Fort in New Delhi. In 2016, the Chennai circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had additionally determined to rope in the services and products of the CISF, after an idol smuggling racket used to be unearthed. Red Fort used to be given CISF cover in 2000, whilst the Taj Mahal got it after a Supreme Court order in 2002.
Sources in the ministry mentioned that despite the fact that 14 states in India, together with Uttar Pradesh, the place the Swiss couple and the German tourist used to be attacked, have tourism police, their effectiveness remains suspect. Government sources, however, added that despite the fact that the ministry is worried concerning the safety of visitors, since regulation and order is a state subject, it reveals it tough to impose its will on state governments.
Former director common, CISF, Arvind Ranjan, however, mentioned any effort to beef up the tourist revel in and to enhance safety round tourist locations should begin with the tourism ministry taking ownership of the initiative, and with coming up with a definitive coverage that can cover safety sides, among different things. "Originally, in India, industrial security and the security of Indian borders were also subjects looked after by the state police. However, the CISF and BSF were raised because state police could not, dedicatedly, address the many concerns there were. Similarly, security for tourists and sites is a specialised need and should be catered to by a force, specially built, or existing," Ranjan mentioned.
Advocating a shift from publicity to construction tourist infrastructure — together with measures to enhance safety — the previous top cop additionally mentioned there will have to be a more in-depth coordination between the ministry and industry stakeholders who can advice govt on what tourists want. "Once the ministry lays down broad guidelines, systems can be structured around that to train personnel, and to get them to work as tourist facilitators who are also equipped to prevent crimes against tourists," Ranjan mentioned.
Even despite the fact that proposals to extend CISF cover to more heritage websites has been under consideration since way back to 2009, financial constraints also are believed to have come in the best way of implementation. Deployment of CISF should be paid for by means of the dept or company that avails of the safety company's services and products. Though this will likely handiest imply ebook adjustments on the govt ranges, the ministries of culture, tourism and home have up to now not been in a position to agree on who will have to undergo the important expenses for such deployment.
At present, CISF personnel guard important heritage monuments like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Salar Jung museum in Hyderabad, and the Red Fort in New Delhi. In 2016, the Chennai circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had additionally determined to rope in the services and products of the CISF, after an idol smuggling racket used to be unearthed. Red Fort used to be given CISF cover in 2000, whilst the Taj Mahal got it after a Supreme Court order in 2002.
Sources in the ministry mentioned that despite the fact that 14 states in India, together with Uttar Pradesh, the place the Swiss couple and the German tourist used to be attacked, have tourism police, their effectiveness remains suspect. Government sources, however, added that despite the fact that the ministry is worried concerning the safety of visitors, since regulation and order is a state subject, it reveals it tough to impose its will on state governments.
Former director common, CISF, Arvind Ranjan, however, mentioned any effort to beef up the tourist revel in and to enhance safety round tourist locations should begin with the tourism ministry taking ownership of the initiative, and with coming up with a definitive coverage that can cover safety sides, among different things. "Originally, in India, industrial security and the security of Indian borders were also subjects looked after by the state police. However, the CISF and BSF were raised because state police could not, dedicatedly, address the many concerns there were. Similarly, security for tourists and sites is a specialised need and should be catered to by a force, specially built, or existing," Ranjan mentioned.
Advocating a shift from publicity to construction tourist infrastructure — together with measures to enhance safety — the previous top cop additionally mentioned there will have to be a more in-depth coordination between the ministry and industry stakeholders who can advice govt on what tourists want. "Once the ministry lays down broad guidelines, systems can be structured around that to train personnel, and to get them to work as tourist facilitators who are also equipped to prevent crimes against tourists," Ranjan mentioned.
Even despite the fact that proposals to extend CISF cover to more heritage websites has been under consideration since way back to 2009, financial constraints also are believed to have come in the best way of implementation. Deployment of CISF should be paid for by means of the dept or company that avails of the safety company's services and products. Though this will likely handiest imply ebook adjustments on the govt ranges, the ministries of culture, tourism and home have up to now not been in a position to agree on who will have to undergo the important expenses for such deployment.
To boost tourism, experts say better security needed at heritage sites, ministry says law and order a ‘state subject’
![To boost tourism, experts say better security needed at heritage sites, ministry says law and order a ‘state subject’]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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November 05, 2017
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