Restructure Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): NITI Aayog report

A NITI Aayog working group under the chairmanship of Amitabh Kant has presented an action plan for heritage management of monuments in the country. The group in its report suggested restructuring of ASI. “Considering the extended framework and mandate of ASI, it is feasible that the nomenclature should reflect more than ‘Archaeological Survey of India’ in its name,” the report said. Suggested new names include, ASHMI (Archaeological Survey and Heritage Management of India), National Heritage Board of India, HASI (Heritage and Archaeological Survey of India). It also said that each ASI heritage site should be a profit centre by generating more revenues from ticketing, souvenir shops, food and beverage outlets.