MUBARAK MANDI HERITAGE PROJECT: In a Decade, 7 Percent Amount Released, Less than 5 % Utilized

RENOVATION OF  MUBARAK   MANDI  HERITAGE  COMPLEX

In a Decade, 7 Percent Amount Released, Less than 5 %   Utilized

Jammu, 03/Nov/2017:  The much prestigious renovation of historic Mubarak Mandi complex project of Jammu is running at snails pace which is evident from the documents shared by the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society MMJHS, in a reply of application of RTI activist Raman Sharma.

In the RTI reply, it has been apprised  that the estimated cost of the Historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is about  Rs. 298.86 Crore, whereas just 7 percent of the estimated cost of the project amount has been released and more shockingly so far utilized amount is even lesser than 5 % of the estimated cost.

Since beginning of the project right from year 2008-09 to till date an amount of Rs. 21.26 crore has been released by government under different heads including Rs. 8.51 Cr under 13^th finance commission and actual amount utilized for the project is only 13.51 crore. Even out of this Rs. 13.51 crore a whopping sum has been charged by Archaeological Survey of India, ASI as departmental charges at the rate of 23.75 percent.

In the reply it has also been informed by the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society, that no dateline is fixed for completion of the ongoing project.

On the question of any monitoring mechanism set up, the reply served by MMJHS stated that Monitoring Committee consists of Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Executive Director MMJHS and Director Archives and Museums inspects the restoration work and so far they have made no recommendation about anything.

In the RTI reply it has also been exposed that during the last 2 years only one meeting of the governing body has been held under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister on 29^th August 2016.

As per the details of Utilization Certificate of funds  submitted by the ASI with the MMJHS on 23/01/2012 it’s been revealed that  ASI charged Rs. 6749534 out of Rs. 3,51,69,000 given by the heritage society as departmental charges (@23.75 %)  and in another Utilization certificate dated 31/March/2017 submitted by the  ASI for conservation of Royal Court Phase one including Ghadavai Khana and Baddi Deodi,  again it’s revealed that  the ASI  deducted an amount of Rs. 1,99,02,500 out of total 8,38,00,000 given by Heritage society.

Expressing displeasure over the revelation made out in the RTI reply, the RTI activist Raman Sharma said this is so sad that no serious effort has been made by the government to expedite the pace of work on this prestigious project which is not only significant to showcase historical characteristic of Jammu but also important for increasing tourism activity  in Jammu which can further be helpful to generate employment avenues for the local population.

RTI ASKED

1. Kindly provide detail with regard to total estimated cost of ongoing project of beautification and             renovation on the historic Mubarak  Mandi Complex?

2. Kindly provide detail with regard to total  amount of money sanctioned for the renovation and             beautification of the Mubarak Mandi Complex.

3.  Kindly provide detail with regard to total  amount of money that has been  released so far ( since start of the work to till the date when the information is supplied)

4. Kindly provide detail with regard to total  amount of money have been spent/utilized on all renovation and beautification work on Mubarak Mandi Complex.  Kindly provide year  wise detail. (since start of the work to till when the information is supplied).

5. Kindly provide certified Copies of Utilization Certificate submitted to Funding Agency/Government during last 6 years.

6. Kindly intimate Approximately Scheduled date/years of completion of the ongoing entire project. (as mentioned in the project report).

7. Kindly intimate Date line/Deadline/Target time fix for completion of the ongoing project.

8. Name the officers/officials/department that are assigned the task of inspection of the ongoing project.

9. Give detail like date of inspection of their last three inspection reports and their recommendations. 

   10  Total number of meetings of the members of the of the Society held during the last 2                 years, give years wise number detail.

REPLY BY SOCIETY

Published in 4th of Nov in almost all Local Daily Newpapers