Great nations carefully preserve their history. In modern times, Europeans gave a scientific system of preserving history. An agency called Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums was incepted right from the times of the Maharajas. All Government departments were required to send the records of the major activities, proposals, discussions and decision to the Department of Archives for preservation. It has come to our notice that the record of past 31 years beginning 1985 has not been sent by departments to the Archives despite requests by the Archives Department to do so.
It is mandatory on all departments to send the records of proceedings to the Archives for the purpose of maintaining the history of the State. In June last the Minister for Finance and Culture, while presiding over a meeting, had issued instructions to the department to submit the record of 31 previous years to the Archives. Unfortunately no departmental head has heeded the suggestion and none has submitted any record of that period. Though, of course the departments have been sending in their latest records after instructions were given by the Finance Minister but they seem to be reluctant to react on his instructions of sending in the record of 31 years in the past. Actually we fail to understand why they hesitate to send in the record? Is it their usual lethargy and recklessness that makes them to sit on the instructions of the higher authorities or is it by design. It is difficult to say. How are the research scholars going to see this phenomenon is an important question. Government official records are a proof of the truth about which many people have reservations. The Archives Department, too, shall have to bear the blame to some extent. Why did it not impress upon the Government at proper time that documents were not being sent to it in time and some action should be taken. The department has the complaint of inadequacy of manpower, funds and infrastructure. The Government must look into the complaints and provide the department with necessary wherewithal to smoothen its functioning.
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