Epigraphy gets short shrift in ASI restructuring exercise

The proposed restructuring of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has left the students and retired employees of the division fuming. They have alleged that the sphere of epigraphy has been given short shrift by the federal government.

As per a round of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 758 new posts could be created in the ASI as a part of a cadre-restructuring exercise, topic to the abolition of 304 posts in the prevailing scheme of issues.

But what has left students shocked is that not a single publish has been created for the epigraphy department, which is the idea for the reconstruction of historical past based mostly on materials proof corresponding to inscriptions on rocks, caves, temples, pillars, stones, and copper plates that are nonetheless being found.

In as late as March 2021, the ASI had issued a observe that 41 Group A posts could be revived, together with that of Director, Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Dravidian), and Director, Epigraphy (Arabic and Persian). A notification calling for the appointment of Director, Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Dravidian), was issued on Tuesday, however that is solely on deputation whereas two different posts associated to the Sanskrit department have lapsed. In the brand new scheme of issues, 70 posts associated to horticulture have been created, together with 55 horticultural assistants, other than 434 conservation assistants whose job will principally be to supervise the upkeep of monuments. But not a single publish associated to epigraphy has been notified.

When contacted, senior officers in the ASI most popular to not touch upon the difficulty, saying they weren’t authorised to take action.

Contrary to plan

But T.S. Ravi Shankar, retired Director of the epigraphy department of ASI, instructed The Puucho that the brand new proposal flew in the face of NITI Aayog’s plan of the ASI restructuring below which strengthening the epigraphy department was clearly enunciated.

The proscribing and cadre evaluation takes place as soon as in just a few a long time and by ignoring epigraphy, the federal government has demoralised the employees, stated Dr. Ravi Shankar, including that it could not entice new expertise nor retain the prevailing employees.

Another scholar, who has retired from the epigraphy department after greater than three a long time of service however didn’t wished to be named, remarked that professionals must retire in the identical publish to which they have been appointed on the time of becoming a member of and therefore this growth would pave the way in which for the flight of expertise from the epigraphy department to universities.

Citing his personal instance, the scholar stated he had remained as an assistant in the division for 22 years regardless of many publications to his credit score, whereas he would have retired as a Head of Department had he joined any college.

Given the vastness of the nation and the potential for unearthing extra inscriptions, it’s crucial to not less than retain or revive the sanctioned posts, however as a substitute among the posts have been abolished, stated Dr. Ravi Shankar. Though two zonal places of work of the epigraphy department have been created in the Nineteen Nineties, it didn’t consequence in the creation of latest posts, he added.