Sir,
Reference Joint House Committee on Mubarak Mandi (DE Dec. 10, 2016). Instead of feeling disturbed or helpless for non-cooperation from Govt Departments or vague replies by some stakeholders, the committee can easily get whatsoever information they require, from the non-official members of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, who being the real stakeholders, have very recently expressed their resentment over the delay in the restoration work of this historical complex (DE Dec. 1, 2016). They are even ready to pursue the agitational methods in case the restoration work is not taken up by the Government on priority basis. Hence there seems no reason for their non co-operation or not satisfying the House Committee of all their queries. Everything is in their knowledge and carried out in their presence, may it be the shifting of Toshakhana items or the demolition of marble platform etc etc.Further, it looks very strange when the then Executive Director of this Heritage Society, after demolishing the Royal Marble Platform personally tells the J&K High Court Bar Association who unanimously condemned this demolition, that this structure was high enough and obstructing vision from the ground, as also granite/marble laid over the surface do not resemble the Maharaja’s period, hence the Technical Committee of the Society wanted to replace the same with red stone which belongs to architecture of that period (DE Aug 5, 2014 refers). Do we need more explanation on such issues or should recommend an open inquiry against the defaulters who completely went silent after this unwanted action on their part. All such demages, additions or alterations have so far been done in the same way and in the knowledge of the Heritage Society including its executive body who intentionally sidelined the ASI as well as the Department of Archives and Museums, J&K to carry out their own agenda of converting this unique Heritage and Cultural Complex into a tourist destination of their choice.
Yours etc…
Narsingh Dev Jamwal
Jammu
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