Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 29: N. N. Vohra, Governor, has emphasized the urgent need for developing Kala Kendra, Jammu, as a vibrant centre for preserving, conserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the State by putting in place the required infrastructure and logistics.
The Governor was chairing a meeting of the Governing Council of the Kala Kendra, Jammu at Raj Bhavan here today.
The Governor, who is President of the Governing Council of the Kala Kendra, stressed all possible sources being tapped so that the functioning of this Kendra progressively catches up with its aims and objectives.
Referring to the suggestions put forth by Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing and Culture, for setting up a Planetarium at Jammu as part of the Kala Kendra, the Governor asked the Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture to take up this matter with the concerned authorities in the Government of India and also explore other possible sources for establishing this facility which will be of immense benefit to the students and people at large.
The Governor asked the Commissioner Secretary Culture to take urgent necessary measures for securing the required amounts of water and power supply at the Kala Kendra Complex and, besides undertaking beautification of its lawns. He desired urgent action to have an electricity metre installed in the Kendra and all future bills paid timely.
After extensive discussions in regard to the various agenda items, the meeting decided to constitute a Sub-Committee headed by Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism and Culture, and comprising Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma and Balwant Thakur, to consider all relevant aspects in regard to the amendments required to be made in the existing Rules and Regulations of the Kala Kendra, particularly focussing on the management aspects, need for regular financial support, allotment of additional land, matters regarding sanction of necessary staff for the Kala Kendra, scale of rentals for the hiring of Seminar Hall, Galleries and other spaces, preparation of a logo of the Kala Kendra, etc.
The Sub-Committee will finalize its recommendations within one month and the next meeting of the Governing Council will be held in September this year to take a final view on all matters.
Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing and Culture, stressed for all the required measures being taken for bringing about continuing improvements in the functioning of the Kala Kendra. He emphasized the need for establishment of a Planetarium and a Regional Science Centre at Jammu, which he stated were part of the initial project of the Kala Kendra.
Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Home and Tourism, put forth several suggestions for the promotion of the State’s rich cultural heritage.
Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Chief Secretary; B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development; B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary, Finance; Arvind Manjit Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India; Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism and Culture; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Pradeep Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages; Satish Nehru, Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority; Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Cultural Academy; Soujanya Sharma, Director, Tourism, Jammu; J. S. Tandon, Managing Director, SRTC; S. P. Manhas, SE, R&B, Jammu; Balwant Thakur, Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma, Masood Hussain, Dr. Aiyaz Rasool Nazki, Veer Munshi, Waheed Jeelani and Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Qadri were among those who participated in the meeting.
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