Bharat Dalmia Group bags Red Fort maintenance contract; Congress objects, accuses Modi government of 'leasing out India's heritage' to a private entity

The opposition Congress on Saturday objected the contract signed with the Ministry of Tourism to maintain the Red Fort and accused Modi government of privatising India's heritage. The Congress party wrote in a tweet: "After handing over the Red Fort to the Dalmia group, which is the next distinguished location that the BJP government will lease out to a private entity?" The Grand Old Party conducted a poll asking BJP government will lease out to a private entity?

The Ministry of Tourism to signed a contract with the private corporation of the iconic Mughal-era monument, Red Fort, for next five years at a cost of Rs 25 crore. In a defence for the decision, Tourism Minister KJ Alphons told media that it was a ‘wonderful move to preserve, beautify and modify our heritage’.

Reacting to the news, Dr Mahesh Sharma, MoS Culture told ANI: “President announced a scheme of GoI on World Tourism Day 2017, that those interested in value addition to any services of monuments can come forward. Some services of Red Fort.

Talking about the signing of MoU, Mr Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director, Dalmia Bharat Group said, "We are very honoured to have adopted one of India's top heritage sites. At Dalmia Bharat, we take pride in Indian culture and practise it in the workplace. For us, it is an extension of what we believe in. Adopting a Heritage Project is a unique endeavour by Ministry of Tourism which envisions in developing monuments, heritage and tourist sites across India to enhance their tourism potential and cultural importance. We look forward to adding value to India's heritage sites in every possible manner."

The private corporate, Dalmia Bharat Limited group signed an MoU with the Tourism Ministry adopting the Red Fort under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Project. The MoU was signed in the presence of KJ Alphons, Hon'ble Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and other senior officials of Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ministry signed an MoU with Dalmia Bharat and the Archaeological Survey of India under the project to adopt the iconic Red Fort monument in New Delhi and Gandikota Fort in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, it said in a statement.

The President Ram Nath Kovind had launched the Adopt a Heritage scheme on World Tourism Day in September last year.

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