Srinagar, Sep 8 : Government on Wednesday constituted an executive committee headed by Chief Secretary A K Mehta and District Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committees for approving action plans for implementation of “scheme for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architecture and heritage in Jammu & Kashmir”.
While 12-member Executive Committee will be headed by the Chief Secretary, respective deputy commissioners are chairman of the District Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committees.
The District Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committees have been tasked with to conduct the heritage census and survey of the shrines, temples and other religious and historic monuments in coordination with the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for their restoration, revival, preservation and maintenance, after such activity is approved by the Executive Committee.
The committees’ terms of reference also include ascertaining need and necessity of revival or restoration and renovation of sacred religious assets and historic monuments, besides facilitate and coordinate such restoration, revival, preservation and maintenance work.
The committees’ has been also tasked with to collect/receive funds and give grants for fulfillment of objective of the “Society for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of Architecture & Heritage in J&K” created by the Department of Culture.
They are also tasked with to prioritize and propose steps for protection, longevity of identified sacred and heritage structures and suggest steps for restoration, wherever any damage has occurred, and also formulate and finalize appropriate action plans for this purpose and for the approval of Executive Committee.
They are also charged to restore to original position, the designated heritage/ sacred structure or place, adhering to same building material and workmanship, as per the approved action plan.
They have been also tasked with to upgrade the infrastructure at these places of worship and heritage monuments and develop the land appurtenant to the sites and their surroundings, in consultation with stakeholders, as per the approved action plan. Lastly, the committees’ are to monitor and supervise the execution and restoration works in close consultation with management of trust of religious place/ heritage monuments, wherever in place besides report the progress to the Executive Committee on quarterly basis.
