ITC, GMR lead race to ‘adopt’ Taj Mahal
NEWDELHI: Consumer products and cigarette company ITC Ltd and a company that is part of infrastructure conglomerate GMR Group are in the race to adopt India’s most iconic monument, the Taj Mahal, under the government’s ‘Adopt A Heritage’ scheme.
The scheme envisages the adoption of historical sites and monuments by private and state-owned companies. The companies are expected to pay for the upkeep of the monument or site from their CSR (corporate social responsibility) budget. The site or monument will remain under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India. Indian law requires companies to spend 2% of their profit on CSR activities.
Spokespersons for both ITC and GMR confirmed that they have expressed interest in adopting the Taj and written to the ministry of tourism.
When the scheme was launched in September last year, GMR Sports Private Limited, best known as the owner of the Delhi Daredevils team in the Indian Premier League, made its bid to adopt the Taj Mahal. Companies were allowed to bid to adopt any monument or historical site.
In response to GMR’S bid, the government said the Taj was not part of the scheme because of its importance. GMR Sports & ITC Ltd
GMR & Kakatiya Heritage Trust Dalmia Bharat & TK Int Dalmia Bharat and GMR GMR and ITC Ltd