ASI suspicious staff manipulated revenues post demonetisation

ASI has started an inquiry to cross-check the denomination of currency collected as revenue before 8 November 2016.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started a probe after receiving allegations that some of its employees have manipulated revenues generated by different monuments until 8 November 2016. According to a highly-placed source in the ASI, some discrepancy has been noted in the denomination of currency that was collected as revenue at various monuments.

The denomination of the currency, which was in the possession of the revenue authorities of different monuments, changed after demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The source explained, “ASI has started an inquiry to cross-check the denomination of currency that was collected as revenue on 8 November 2016, before and after demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 was announced.”

He added, “We received some reports that employees at certain monuments exchanged lower denomination currency notes that were collected as revenue, with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes they had in their possession.”

“Whether such an exchange was carried out only for the convenience of getting more lower denomination notes or whether some black money was hoarded is not clear yet,” the source further told this correspondent.

Efforts are being made to ascertain the total sum of money that was moved from the monuments’ revenue.

The monuments that have come under the radar are the ones where daily footfall is high like the Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

“Various other monuments, too, are under the scanner, details of which cannot be made public right now,” said the source.

The revenue generated from monuments belongs to the government’s treasury. “If any fraudulent activity is proved in handling of revenue, the inquiry committee will take necessary action,” said the source.

However, T. J. Alone, Director Monuments, ASI, denied any information on the subject.

Alone said, “I do not know of this. Send an application in writing to ASI for a clarification.”

Earlier, when this reporter had asked Alone about any decrease in the number of visitors going to monuments following demonetisation, he said, “ASI has not registered any decline in footfall as of now. We are enthusiastically working towards promoting our digital payments and online ticket purchasing systems as well.”