The much touted Mubarak Mandi Heritage to be preserved as heritage complex is proving something like nightmare because there are so many bottlenecks that smooth completion of the project could remain very elusive. The Mubarak Mandi or the royal seat of the Dogra ruling house of the State is a vast complex medieval in its structure but threatened by the vagaries of weather. Some years ago the Government decided that this heritage needs be protected and preserved for the posterity. Consequently in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, a detailed project was blueprinted and preservation task was initiated. With that, numerous difficulties surfaced one after another. These were in the areas of planning, fund releases at proper time, technical advice and consultation and above all cooperation of various administrative units. The work of preservation did not catch speed and it seemed that if the repair work went with the given pace, many parts of the huge structure would perish before these reached the stage of preservation.
While the preservation work was going on, the park and the historical chabutara in the complex were demolished. Again, a crucial decision of far reaching consequences was taken of shifting the Toshakhana or the treasure house from the complex to some other place. Then suddenly the Toshakhana caught fire which caused extensive damage. BJP members in the Assembly demanded an inquiry into the fire incident alleging that setting Toshakhana on fire was a deliberate conspiracy. Under pressure from the legislators, the Upper House of the legislature constituted a House Committee with the terms of reference to find out whether the treasures of Toshakhana were shifted before or after the fire, why were the park and chabutara demolished and what was the ground situation about the work of preservation etc. The House Committee was given time line within which it had to submit the report to the Chairman of the Legislative Council.
However, the ground situation is that this House Committee has not receive cooperation from the bureaucracy and the relevant sources that would help it in preparing an objective report. It appears that vested interests do not allow the organs of the State to function freely and as per the norms of the system. Confused and disappointed House Committee has written to the Chairman of the Legislative Council that it has failed to receive the support of the concerned quarters in the Government and as such it will not be possible for it to submit the report within the specific time limit.
It is a sad commentary on obstructive attitude of the sections of bureaucracy and other departmental functionaries to create hurdles in the path of House Committee’s assignment. They are causing great disservice to the history and culture of the State and the Government authorities should intervene to censure them for their negative and disruptive attitude and even action should be taken against those who deliberately obstruct the work of the House Committee.
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