Section 20B: Power of Central Government to make rules regulating Archaeological excavation in protected areas

(1) The Central Government may make rules2—

(a) prescribing the authorities by whom licences to excavate for archeological purposes in a protected area may be granted;

(b) regulating the conditions on which such licences may be granted, the form of such licences, and the taking of security from licensees;

(c) prescribing the manner in which antiquities found by a licensee shall be divided between [the Central Government] and the licensee; and

(d) generally to carry out the purposes of section 20.

(2) The power to make rules given by this section is subject to the condition of the rules being made after previous publication.

(3) Such rules may be general for all protected areas for the time being, or may be special for any particular protected area or areas.

(4) Such rules may provide that any person committing a breach of any rule or of any condition of a licence shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, and may further provide that where the breach has been by the agent or servant of a licensee the licensee himself shall be punishable.