Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 18: Former minister and president Dogra Sadar Sabha J&K (DSS), Th Gulchain Singh Charak chaired a review meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of DSS in which the road map for follow up action on agenda of previous meetings was discussed in detail.
It was resolved to place the unresolved issues before the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha and other appropriate levels for immediate redressal.
The participants reiterated major demands of DSS to immediately restore the Mubarak Mandi complex to its pristine glory and not to shift the soul of Mubarak Mandi complex, that is the archives, worth hundreds of crores of rupees artefacts, to Kala Kendra or any other place outside the complex as that would render the monument ‘soul-less and attraction-less’ for the students, tourists and lovers of heritage and history.
Proposed conversion of Maharani Charaki Palace into a hotel was also decried on technical grounds being against the standard norms of heritage. Immediate strengthening of embankments and other conservation measures on the circular roadside of Mubarak Mandi hillock were stressed to prevent sliding and collapse of the priceless structure. The need to connect Mahamaya Hillock to Jamwant Gufa Cable Car Project with Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex was stressed for convenience of the visitors, particularly for the tourists from outside the Union Territory. Demand for the facelift of the 118 year old DSS Bhawan under Smart City Project was also raised.
Participants suggested befitting Memorial of the Martyrs at Akhnoor and Pallanwala also and requested the public and Government officials to show due honour to ex-servicemen and their families while attending to their problems.
Revival of Jammu Festival by focusing on exhibition of local and folk art, culture, brotherhood and development scenario was stressed besides ensuring smooth and flawless functioning of light and sound programmes at Bagh -e Bahu.
Demand for establishing a War Memorial at the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir to honour the gallant soldiers and other martyrs was strongly asserted. Removing restrictions on passing of the general public through General NC Vij Road along the front of Civil Secretariat, Jammu was stressed to conveniently connect monuments, heritage buildings and places of interest for visitors and public. The Government was urged to declare the Ranbir Canal as the State Heritage to facilitate its regular maintenance and ensure unhindered irrigation to the tail end in RS Pura.
Lt Gen RK Sharma, Col Dr VK Sahi (Retd.) and Brig MS Jamwal demanded honourable compensation to war widows, it was noted with grave concern that although the ex-gratia was raised, but still not disbursed. Even the annuity relief was due for another revision as the last fixation was in 2008, and they proposed greater share to ex-servicemen in re-employment. They said that disparity in annuity vis- a- vis other states/UTs should be removed.
Prominent among those present in the meeting were Prem Sagar Gupta, CM Sharma, Kuldeep Wahi, Virender Kumar Gupta, Dr Sant Kumar Digra, Sukhdev Singh, Raj Kumar Sagotra, Balwinder Singh and others.
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