Taj Mahal's Global Appeal Comes at a Cost: BJP MP Seeks Balance Between Preservation and Development
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Agra's economic growth is being hindered by strict regulations surrounding the Taj Mahal, according to BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar. Speaking in Parliament, Chahar argued that the beauty of India's iconic monument has become a curse for the city's development, stifling industrial growth and job creation. The Taj Trapezium Zone and National Green Tribunal regulations, put in place to preserve the monument's beauty, have led to a ban on industries and factories in the area, leaving many young people unemployed. Chahar pointed out that Agra's strategic location, with direct connectivity to major cities like Delhi and Lucknow, makes it an ideal location for an IT hub. He proposed setting up an IT hub in Agra to boost development and create employment opportunities, while also preserving the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to increase excise duty on tobacco products and their manufacturing. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the bill is not a new law or additional tax, but rather a revision of existing excise duty. The revenue collected from the increased duty will be redistributed to states in the divisible pool, at a rate of 41%.
