LAHORE, March 11: Federal tourism and culture minister S.K. Tressler says the government is assessing provinces ability as well as resources to maintain the historical monuments.

“The tourism ministry will soon make a presentation to President General Pervez Musharraf about their (provinces) resources and expertise to maintain the historical monuments, he said.

Col Tressler was talking to reporters after speaking at a Conference organized by the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) at a local hotel on Monday.

Answering a question, Col Tressler said the federal government also had no funds to maintain the monuments. “We have no resources to pay even salaries to gardeners working in 390 monuments in the country,” he said.

Responding to a question about the performance of archaeology department, he said it was also in bad shape.

Answering a question about obscenity in theatres, Col Tressler said the theatres were given a ‘little concession’ but they crossed all limits. He said the federal government was also devising a policy to regulate theatres. He expressed his commitment that obscenity would be checked.

Earlier, speaking at the conference, Tressler said he had also asked the Censor Board to reject all such films which revolve around as well as bear a title of some ‘badmash’.

He said the president was considering rationalizing diversified taxes imposed on private schools as well as hotels to promote education and tourism in the country.

Agreeing with other speakers, the minister said the government must consult private schools’ managements before devising a policy governing the private schools.