Transfer of Toshkhana assets as per AC decision
List of artifacts on prescribed format yet to be handed-over
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 10: In a glaring example of lack of coordination, the Hospitality and Protocol Department is not taking seriously the repeated requests of the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums regarding transfer of Toshkhana assets after preparation of list of artifacts on the prescribed format.
The Administrative Council vide Decision No.115/9/2022 dated August 13, 2022 gave nod to the proposal regarding winding up of Toshkhana Organization. Accordingly, the Hospitality and Protocol Department vide Government Order No.11-JK (H&P) dated August 30, 2022 formally accorded sanction to the closure of J&K Toshkhana Organization.
It was mentioned in the order that sanctioned posts and incumbent staff and all the records and immovable/moveable assets of the Toshkhana Organization at Jammu and Srinagar will be transferred to the Department of Culture for further management of valuable and other objects of erstwhile kings of Jammu and Kashmir.
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“Though manpower of the Organization was formally transferred to the Department of Culture soon after the decision of the Administrative Council yet handing over and taking over of the huge assets in the shape of historic articles which include gold and silver ornaments and armory kept in the stores of Toshkhana Organization including one inside the Civil Secretariat at Jammu is facing inordinate delay”, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
The Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums vide Letter No.DAMA-2328-29/Ad-25 dated January 10, 2023 asked the Director, Hospitality and Protocol Department to transfer assets of Toshkhana Organization as per the museum norms. Thereafter, reminder was sent to Director Hospitality and Protocol vide letter dated February 2, 2023 for furnishing list of artifacts as per the prescribed format.
As there was no response, the Administrative Department Culture vide communication No. Cul-Adm/Arch/38/2022-08 dated February 24, 2023 took up the matter with the Administrative Secretary of Hospitality and Protocol Department to complete the handover/takeover process as per the prescribed format. However, much to the disappointment of Culture Department nothing happened.
All this was reiterated by Deputy Director Archives in a communication dated June 26, 2023 addressed to Director, Hospitality and Protocol Department. “You are once again requested that the requisite information strictly as per the format may kindly be provided to this office to enable hassle-free handover/takeover of the artifacts”, read the letter.
“Still, the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums awaits response from the Hospitality and Protocol Department”, sources informed, adding “unless the list of artifacts is provided as per museum norms the handover/takeover exercise cannot be initiated”.
The inordinate delay is notwithstanding the fact that General Administration Department vide Order No.992-JK(GAD) dated August 21, 2023 constituted two committees for supervising and facilitating handover/takeover of assets of Toshkhana between the Director Hospitality and Protocol and Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
For the assets of Mubarak Mandi and Civil Secretariat Jammu, the committee is comprised of Deputy Commissioner Jammu, SSP Jammu, Directors of both the Departments and Treasury Officer, Saddar Treasury Jammu. Similarly, for the assets at Saddar Treasury and Central Store of Hospitality and Protocol Department at Srinagar, the committee is comprised of DC and SSP Srinagar, both the Directors and Treasury Officer, Saddar Treasury Srinagar.
It is pertinent to mention here that on December 15, 2006 a major fire broke out in a portion of Mubarak Mandi complex and engulfed the Toshkhana where precious treasure of Dogra rulers was kept. Though there was no damage to the precious metals, gems and other valuable objects yet fire rendered Toshkhana (safe lock room) completely hazardous for keeping treasure anymore.
Accordingly, it was decided that treasure would be shifted from Toshkhana in the historic Mubarak Mandi complex to a strong room in the Civil Secretariat so as to ensure its safety and security. Finally, on December 25, 2006, invaluable treasure of Dogra rulers was shifted to Civil Secretariat amidst tight security.
Barring a palanquin (Palki) made of gold and a chest all other precious items were shifted to Civil Secretariat as these two items could not be brought out of the doors of the Toshkhana because of its less width and authorities were not interested in causing any damage either to the doors or these two items.
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