New Delhi, June 20: Taking serious note of reports of construction work on a corridor behind the Taj Mahal continuing despite its objections, the Centre today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to immediately stop the construction work or face the consequences of violation of law. Seeking a probe into how the clearance for the construction was given, culture minister Jagmohan in a letter to Chief Minister Mayawati today said "the fact the Unseco has declared Taj and Agra Fort as 'world heritage sites', which requires a certain ambience to be kept, has been ignored. Nor has the ministry of culture, which is concerned with such sites and also with the Implementation of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, been consulted."
The letter also said that a report has been lodged with the local police by the local officer of Archaeological Survey of India for violation of the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaelogical Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Jagmohan, who is planning to visit the site on Sunday, also held a meeting of all agencies and organisations concerned here. Amongst others, the meeting was attended by the Secretary (Environment), UP, Commissioner of Agra Division and vice-chairman of Agra Development Authority.
The minister also said no clearance from the Centre under the Environment Protection Act was obtained.
The culture ministry on June 16 had written to the state government to stop the construction work after which the state chief secretary had given an assurance that the work will be stopped with immediate effect but even after the assurances, the media reported the continuation of the work near the site. Bureau Report