STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Th Gulchain Singh Charak, President, Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K called on the Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta to highlight various issues of public importance. It was disclosed by Charak in a press conference held at Dogra Sadar Sabha Bhawan here on Saturday.
Elaborating upon the issues discussed, he said that these included concerns regarding the recent amendment orders which apparently amounted to a roll back of its earlier orders by the UT Government, doing away with the fifteen decades old and obsolete practice of biannual Darbar Move that was ended after years of deliberations. Charak welcomed the assurance given by the Chief Secretary that the practice of Darbar Move was not being restored, but only about 30 percent of officers and their staff, who were essentially required to assist the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary to facilitate smooth working of the secretariat at Jammu, had been asked to come to Jammu.
He also brought to the notice of the Chief Secretary, the slow pace of restoration work of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex despite assurances that the work would be completed as per the approved comprehensive restoration plan in time for celebrations of 75 years of India’s Independence. He also stressed to formally rescind the illegal and unethical move to establish hotel within the protected Heritage Complex. Others issues highlighted during the meeting included rejecting any proposal to shift Archives from Mubarak Mandi complex, shortage of staff in Directorate of Archives, Archeology & Museums; immediate steps for proper preservation of priceless paintings and other artifacts of Dogra Art Museum, expediting conservation of heritage buildings, opening of Mubarak Mandi complex for tourists and people,
It was further demanded that the works be carried out in a transparent manner under the close supervision of the experts of the Archeological Survey of India as mandated in the 8th meeting of the Governing Body of the Society, This will ensure that the conservation norms are adhered to, and no aspect of the precious heritage is lost during the restoration work, easing traffic restrictions imposed outside Civil Secretariat Jammu, providing some other space for parking of security vehicles in place of outside Ranvireshvar Temple, etc.
Charak warned that delay in resolution of issues will neither be in the interest of people nor the culture and heritage. Others present during the press conference included Col Karan Singh Jamwal, Prem Sagar Gupta, Brig M S Jamwal, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Amanat Ali Shah, S. Kulbir Singh and Chander Mohan Sharma.