| 2 months on, members of MMHS's governing body await minutes of meeting | | Snail's pace of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex renovation | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Feb 5: Disgustingly sluggish pace of renovation works on Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex could be attributed to lackadaisical attitude of authorities concerned, which has failed to give approved minutes of the meeting of governing body, even after two months since the meeting was held.
Sources informed Early Times the last meeting of governing body of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society was held on December 6, which was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the capacity of Chairman of governing body.
After threadbare discussions on some important issues, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had issued some important directions, aimed at accelerating the renovation process. "The decision taken in the meeting could only be executed once minutes of meeting, were approved by the concerned Minister", sources said, adding that the minutes of governing body's meeting were sent to Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir for his approval but approval was awaited for the last two months.
In the meeting of December 6, governing body had discussed matters pertaining to shifting of LT/HT lines and substation from the complex to the new identified site. The Chief Minister had said that after ascertaining the feasibility, the Power Development Department would take urgent steps in this regard. "CM had also said that the amount required for the purpose would be made available to the department", sources said.
"Omar Abdullah had also approved Rs. 9.97 lakh for completion of the ongoing water supply restoration work in the complex for which Rs. 10 Lakh have already been released and spent by the PHE department", they said, adding that CM had also directed that the restoration work under execution by Tourism Department should necessarily be in consonance with heritage norms and as per the specification laid down for restoration of heritage works.
The meeting had also discussed restoration of Raja Amar Singh Palace involving Rs. 24 crores, Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Court and Gadvi Khana costing Rs. 20 Crores besides Mahal of Raja Ram Singh's Queen involving Rs. 9.95 Crores.
Members of governing body, while expressing concern over the callous attitude shown by concerned Minister to approve the minutes of meeting, said, "It seems that concerned Minister is not interested in renovation of heritage complex, otherwise the minutes of meeting can be approved in one day", members pleading anonymity said, adding that it was the height of callousness that concerned Minister has not approved minutes of meeting in two months.
The Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society and Director Information Soujanya Sharma said that some days back he had received the minutes of meetings, approved by Minister concerned. When asked about complaint of members of governing body, who had not received the minutes, he said that the concerned clerk, who had to dispatch the approved minutes to all the members of governing body, was on leave for few days. He assured that within few days the minutes of meeting would reach all members. |
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