Red Fort row - Pragmatism or privatisation?

Under the scheme 'Adopt a Heritage', the Dalmia Bharat Group has adopted Delhi's Red Fort becoming the first-ever corporate company to bag the contract to adopt a historical monument for a whopping Rs 25 crore. The contract spans for five years. The scheme, under the Tourism Ministry, was started last year where the government and private parties are invited to operate and maintain heritage sites. The ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dalmia Bharat and Archeological Survey of India under the scheme to adopt the Red Fort in Delhi and Gandikota Fort in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, the ministry said in a statement. The opposition and historians have slammed the government over the move and questioned the scheme where private companies are given contracts to maintain historical heritage sites in the country.

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