 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 19: Expressing serious concern over slow pace of work on the prestigious Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today stressed upon immediate firming up of the Restoration-cum-Utilization Plan so that the historic cluster of heritage buildings is retrieved and restored to its pristine glory.
For this, the Chief Minister issued directions to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to finalize the preparatory action wherever required for a time-bound implementation of the restoration project.
Towards this end, he was also directed to submit an Action Taken Report by 1st of August.
The Chief Minister issued these directions while chairing the Governing Body meeting of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society (MMHS), during which wide ranging decisions were taken to restore the splendour of Dogra Heritage.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Minister for Finance & Culture, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, Minister of State for Culture & Information, Priya Sethi, Legislators, Rajesh Gupta, Sat Pal Sharma, Ashok Khajuria and Vikramaditya Singh, Principal Secretary, Planning, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner / Secretary, Finance, Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner / Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Shailendra Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister, M. H. Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh, VC, JDA, Mubarik Singh, Commissioner, JMC, Saujanya Kumar Sharma, besides nominated Members of the Society participated in the meeting.
Fixing timeline for taking up various components of works of the State Protected Monument, the Chief Minister issued directions for identifying agencies having relevant expertise in conservation of heritage sites, so that they are entrusted with the work to restore the buildings and landscape the campus of the historic Complex on a fast-track basis.
The Chief Minister observed that given the technical knowhow of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the agency should be actively involved in the conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex.
Calling for better synergy between various agencies involved in restoration works, Mufti Sayeed laid stress on emulating best practices in conservation of heritage sites and buildings.
He also issued directions for expediting work on Darbar Hall and Royal Court premises to showcase the rich Dogra cultural heritage and tradition.
The Chief Minister also suggested rationalizing and augmenting parking areas so that the outer premises of the Complex are spruced up by the Floriculture Department. "While landscaping the Complex campus, special care should be taken to protect the Coronation Site (Raj Tilak) in the Central Park of the Complex," he said. |
