Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the preservation of heritage and historic monuments is a "stupendous" task for which the society and the government are equally responsible.
The ancient monuments and archaeological artifacts are depository of values and status of a civilisation and these act as agents of vital information and education for the younger generation, he said while chairing the 5th governing body meeting of Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society here.
The Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Society, said knowledge about the past makes the society strong and more capable of taking decisions and carrying forward the process of development along with shaping human resources in a better perspective.
All citizens are stakeholders in the preservation and protection of heritage and history, and the task has to be performed in a national spirit, he said.
Highlighting the heritage importance of Mubarak Mandi Complex, Omar said that the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society and the Department of Tourism and Culture need to work in close co-ordination to implement the mega programme launched for restoration of the historic complex.
The meeting discussed matters pertaining to shifting of low tension/high tension lines and substation from the complex to the new identified site.
The Chief Minister said that after ascertaining the feasibility the Power Development Department would take urgent steps in this regard.
He said that the amount required for the purpose would be made available to the department.
Omar approved Rs 9.97 lakh for completion of the ongoing water supply restoration work in the complex for which Rs 10 lakh have already been released and spent by the PHE department.
The restoration work by the tourism department should be in consonance with heritage norms and in line with specifications for restoring heritage works, he said.
The meeting also discussed restoration of Raja Amar Singh Palace involving Rs 24 crore, Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Court and Gadvi Khana costing Rs 20 crore besides Mahal of Raja Ram Singh's Queen involving Rs 9.95 crore.
It was stated that Archaeological Survey of India has been entrusted the restoration work of these ancient monuments.
The meeting discussed the project for restoration of Raja Ram Singh Palace, Darbar Hall and Central Courtyard involving Rs 24.92 crore.
Matters relating to new museum and upgradation of Dogra Art Museum also came up for discussion.
The Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society, Soujanya Sharma in a power point presentation explained the agenda items and presented resume of the measures under implementation for restoration of Mubarak Mandi Complex.
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