New Delhi: Union Minister of Culture, Kumari Selja held a meeting with the Rajasthan Minister of Culture, Smt. Bina Kak on 21 January 2012 in Jaipur to discuss the concerted efforts required to be made by the State Government to address the problem of Jaisalmer Fort which is one of the most celebrated Forts of medieval times. Union Culture Secretary, Shri Jawhar Sircar, and Chief Secretary Rajasthan, Shri Salauddin Ahmed, attended the meeting, along with senior representatives of the Ministry, the Archaeological Survey of India, and the Government of Rajasthan. The Chairman of the Nagar Palika of Jaisalmer also attended.

Located on a hill-top, the Jaisalmer Fort not only attracts a large number of visitors from India and abroad but is also a living Fort extensively inhabited by the local people. Recently, a part of pitching wall had collapsed owing to fragile nature of the rock on which the Fort stands and adverse impact caused by seepage of water.

To resolve the vexed and inter-connected problems relating to constructions and encroachments within this living fort, the two Ministers decided on the formation of an Jaisalmer Fort Development Authority, that will be entrusted the responsibility of ensuring proper coordination among various agencies of Central and State Governments working in the Fort. Similar in concept as the Amer Fort Development Authority, the Authority will be chaired by Collector, Jaisalmer and will be fully empowered to take suitable action against any violations of prevailing rules and regulations. Shri P.V. Deb, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Municipal Administration was entrusted the task of ensuring the constitution of the Authority in the next 2-3 weeks. It was decided that the Authority will also be notified as the competent authority for grant of permissions for repair and renovations etc., under the Central Act.