Top archaeology body to meet today after a gap of 7 years

The Central Advisory Board on Archaeology (Caba), meant to strengthen contacts between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and those in the field of archaeological research, is set to meet on Tuesday, seven years after its last meeting. It is yet to appoint experts in the body that was reconstituted recently. The body will examine over 70 proposals from different state govrnments, which include matters pertaining to funds for excavation, vacancies, training, restoration of monuments, collaboration with universities among other issues.

Last month, the ASI re-constituted the board with the culture minister as the chairperson and including officials from the culture ministry and ASI, MPs, nominees of state governments, representatives of universities, scientists and experts on Indus Valley script as its members. It is also expected to have nominees from the Asiatic Society or All India Oriental Conference, scientists interested in archaeological studies and university professors specialising in history, culture and archaeology.

According to a source, the process of nominating the five persons was on and the recommendations would be sent for government approval, and the MPs would be nominated during the Parliament session.


ASI officials said on Tuesday that the board would take up all issues raised by the state governments, particularly with regard to the upkeep of monuments and discuss the proposals. A sub-committee on Saraswati civilisation is expected to meet in the next few days to discuss the progress of the project, which is critical to the RSS. A senior official said that while the board is an advisory one, its views are considered before the ASI takes the final call on proposals.

The ASI has been at the centre of attention with controversies emerging around centrally protected monuments such as the Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal recently. Many Hindu groups have demanded the right to worship at these monuments, claiming they have a Hindu-Jain legacy.