Jaipur, Feb 23 (IANS): Rajasthan on Monday decided to set up a heritage council under the chief minister for conservation, regulation and maintenance of heritage structures of historical and archaeological importance.

The Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Bill, 2014 would be tabled in the state assembly during the budget session that would begin Feb 25, the state's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore told the media here.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Monday.

Rathore said that as per the draft bill, the council would have three ministers and archaeological experts as members.

A state-level heritage authority headed by the secretary for urban development would also be constituted.

The council will have powers to declare properties of historical importance as protected.

The authority would identify and list the heritage properties to prepare a data bank and prepare a heritage management and by-laws plan.

The authority would also grant permission for construction work in protected regions.