Rajahmundry: The Central Information Commission (CIC) asked the Prime Minister’s Office and the External Affairs Ministry to disclose the efforts made to bring back priceless Indian antiquities such as the Kohinoor diamond, golden throne of Maharaja Ranjit’s Singh, Jade wine cup of Shajahan and Tipu Sultan’s Sword.
The antiquities, which are a part of folklore of Indian opulence and finesse, were taken abroad by invaders.
When an RTI applicant approached the external affairs ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, his query was transferred to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But ASI said that it can take up the issue of retrieval of only those antiquities, which have been illegally exported out of the country in violation of the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act 1972 which became operation in 1976. It is said so far 25 items have been retrieved from various other countries during 2014 to 2017.
When asked by information commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu as to why the RTI request was not transferred back to the PMO or the ministry of culture. Archana Asthana of the Archaeological Survey of India said, “These applications were filed at first with the PMO and the external affairs ministry only. I didn’t understand why did they forward these applications to the ASI.”
