The Centre has proposed opening up the conservation of protected monuments to the private sector, a responsibility that has been the sole mandate of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) until now.

Thus far, the ASI, which functions under the Ministry of Culture, has been entrusted with the core conservation work of as many as 3,700 protected monuments across the country. Here is what to know.

Selecting private agencies

The government plans to empanel over a dozen conservation architects with established credentials, who will guide private donors in hiring agencies for the effective conservation of significant heritage sites across the country, some dating back thousands of years.

Once the tender is floated, applications will be welcomed from conservation architects with proven

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