AMASRA: 2.30 Section 20G. Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority.

2.30 Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority:

2.30.1 Bare Act Provision:

20G. Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority.―(1) Every whole-time member and every part-time member of the Authority shall be selected by a Selection Committee consisting of the following persons, namely:―

(a) Cabinet Secretary―Chairperson, ex officio;

(b) Secretary in the Ministry of Culture―member, ex officio;

(c) Secretary in the Ministry of Urban development―member, ex officio;

(d) three experts, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, architecture, heritage or conservation-architecture to be nominated by the Central Government.

(2) The Selection Committee referred to in sub-section (1) shall regulate its own procedure for the purposes of selecting whole-time members and part-time members of the Authority.

Footnote:

1. Ins. by Act 10 of 2010, (w.e.f. 16-6-1992).

Section 20G of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, establishes a Selection Committee to appoint whole-time and part-time members of the National Monuments Authority (NMA). This section ensures that the NMA, responsible for protecting Bharat’s ancient monuments and archaeological sites, is staffed with qualified experts selected through a structured process.

2.30.2 Composition of the Selection Committee

As per Section 20G(1) of the AMASR Act, the Selection Committee, which picks the full-time and part-time members of the NMA, includes:

1) The Cabinet Secretary, who chairs the committee automatically included due to their role.

2) The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, automatically included.

3) The Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development, automatically included.

4) Three experts in archaeology, architecture, heritage, or conservation-architecture, chosen by the Central Government.

This provision creates a high-level committee that balances administrative authority i.e. senior government officials with technical expertise i.e. heritage experts, to select qualified NMA members. It aims to ensure credibility and competence in the selection process, aligning with the AMASR Act’s goal of protecting Bharat’s cultural heritage.

2.30.3 Procedure of the Selection Committee

As per Section 20G(2) of the AMASR Act, the committee can decide its own rules for how it will evaluate and select NMA members, giving it flexibility to design an effective process. This grants the committee autonomy to adapt its procedures to the specific needs of the NMA, ensuring efficiency and flexibility while maintaining oversight by a high-level body. It supports streamlined decision-making without rigid external constraints.

Section 20G of the AMASR Act establishes a Selection Committee to ensure the National Monuments Authority is staffed with qualified experts to protect Bharat’s cultural heritage. While it aims for a balanced and credible selection process, loopholes such as lack of transparency, ambiguous criteria, and potential political influence could undermine its effectiveness.