/924

Statement of Objects and Reasons.-The creation, maintenance and retrievement of and access to the public records of the Central Government, Union territory Administrations, public sector undertakings, statutory bodies and corporations and commissions and committees of the Central Government or the Union territory Administrations are at present governed by executive instructions. Since such instructions are subject to change without any notice, they affect the functioning of that Government, Union territory Administrations and statutory bodies, etc., as also the presentation of facts of history in their proper prospective. It was proposed to provide legal cover for the responsibilities of the records creating agencies and the archives with respect to the arrangement, management, custody, disposal, deposit and preservation of and access to the public records so that our public records are not only authentic but also throw light on many grey areas of our history.

It was also proposed to constitute the Archival Advisory Board to advise the Government on matters relating to the public records and proper administration of the provisions of the Act.

The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.

[21st December 1993]

An Act to regulate the management, administration and preservation of public records of the Central Government, Union territory Administrations, public sector undertakings, statutory bodies and corporations, commissions and committees constituted by the Central Government or a Union territory Administration and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-