New Delhi: Dalmia Bharat Limited has adopted Red Fort, under government’s scheme ‘Adopt a Heritage’ after the corporate group signed a contract with the Ministry of Tourism for next five years at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for leasing out the monument to Dalmia Bharat Limited, making it a part of ‘Monument Mitras’, a group of various private sector companies assigned to look after the operations and the maintenance of heritage site, reported TOI.
The MoU was signed in the presence of KJ Alphons, 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 Managing Director of Dalmia Bharat Group, Puneet Dalmia expressing his happiness towards the adoption of Red Fort and 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.”
Meanwhile, the Congress criticized the move for giving monument’s responsibility to a private company. “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?” it said 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? #IndiaSpeaks
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 28, 2018
Under ‘Adopt A Heritage’ scheme (Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchan Project) that was launched on World Tourism Day (27th September 2017); private, public sector companies and corporate individuals are invited to adopt heritage sites to take up their responsibility and to promote sustainable tourism.