The controversy surrounding EOI for conversion of Mubarak Mandi into Heritage Hotel is getting murkier by the day. A cursory glance at the past reveals that those opposing commercialization of the heritage complex today as ‘an attempt to trample the Dogra culture and sentiments’, were themselves to be blamed for the same decision when they were at the helm of the affairs.
The News Now had reported on 17th July 2021 that MMJHS has proposed Zanana Mahal Complex to be developed into heritage hotel. It invited EOI by 9th August 2021 under PPP model on Design Develop-Finance-Build-Maintain and Operate basis, following which, citizens of Jammu ranging from politicians to bureaucrats to common man, have spurred into action. Some are voicing against the decision, while some have welcomed it.
New details emerging reveal that the foundation of the move was laid down some 14 years ago, with some of those opposing it today, were a part of the decision-making process then.
Deepika K Sharma, Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society states that the decision isn’t new, but a step forward in the unanimously passed decision by the Governing Body in 2011.
In fact, EOI for Heritage Hotel was one of the agenda points for the review meeting regarding Mubarak Mandi Complex held under the chairmanship of Ghulam Nabi Azad, then CM J&K, on 13th March, 2008.
Official document accessed by The News Now reads out the agenda, “…During the course of visits of various conservation as well as tourism experts, it has been suggested that Inner Courtyard which was the residential palace of the erstwhile rulers – Maharani Charak Mahal, Naya Mahal, etc. will be ideal for preserving the same as heritage hotel like in Rajasthan and other states. Converting it into heritage hotel will not only obtain private investment under PPP mode, but will also enable that conservation as per heritage hotel norms will be adhered to in a self sustainable manner. It will also give a boost to the other activities in the complex and to the economy of the surrounding areas…. Firms/Consortia on the panel are expected to contract directly with the agencies concerned for provision of transaction management services. Such competitive bid can be invited to appoint a transaction advisor for development of heritage hotel on PPP basis. By the time DPR’s are prepared, the short listing of the interested chain of hotels will be done for the perusal of the Governing Body. Matter is placed before Chief Minister for kind perusal and directions please.”
However, the point was not discussed.
Gulchain Singh Charak was then the Chairman, Executive Committee, MMJHS, while Ajay Khajuria, JKAS, was Director Tourism Jammu. Among other dignitaries, Jugal Kishore Sharma of BJP, Naeem Akhtar, then Secretary Tourism J&K, SM Sahni, then Jt Director Tourism Jammu were present in the meeting.
The proposal featured again in a meeting almost a year later, even as the government had changed by then.
The EOI was an agenda point in the 2nd meeting of the Governing Body cum Review Meeting of MMJHS held under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah, then CM of J&K, on 5th March, 2009. SM Sahni, was then Director Tourism Jammu.
Here, it was decided that “A Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Gulchain Singh Charak, Maj General GS Jamwal, Prof Lalit Magotra, Prof Zahur-ud-Din and MR Puri will examine the whole issue keeping in view the Vision Plan prepared by the consultants and methodology adopted by other states for such properties. The Sub-Committee will take into confidence other senior citizens and cross sections of people in Jammu for their view points in this regard. Report of the Sub-Committee will be placed before the Governing Body in its next meeting for consideration.”
The 3rd meeting of the Body was held on 11th January, 2010 again under Omar Abdullah, in which was noted: “As decided in the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Gulchain Singh Charak have proposed that Inner Courtyard as per the Vision Plan presented by the INTACH, New Delhi be leased out to one of the leading hotel chains of the country for conservation, preservation/restoration and operation of heritage hotel. The EOI with clear cut terms and condition under PPP mode has been proposed by MMJHS. The matter is placed before Hon’ble CM and other members of the Governing Body for consideration and orders.”
As per the decision taken in 3rd meeting, EOI for heritage hotel was floated in two National Dailies on 8th March, 2011. The Department of Tourism & Culture vide letter no. TSM/GNL/07/09 dated 7th April 2011 advised to keep on hold the proposal pending its re-examination and final decision. The matter was placed before Governing Body for reconsideration.
Meanwhile, Charak resigned from Executive Committee MMJHS in 2011, after which committee ceased to exist.
In the 4th meeting held on 13th December, 2011, Omar Abdullah stated that because of paucity of funds with the government, PPP mode is the only viable mode for execution of renovation work of some part of the Complex. He ordered that EOI be floated again in a nice format to explore the possibility of attracting private investment for heritage hotel inside the Complex, as per the Vision Plan prepared by INTACH. Ashok Khajuria, then MLA Jammu (East) was one of the official members present in the meeting.
Initially parties had shown interest after publishing of advertisement in two newspapers, Business Standard and Economic Times on 25th May, 2012. Thereafter, they were requested by Administrative dept/MMJHS to come for presentation. But they did not respond until the next meeting.
The 5th meeting was held on 6th December 2013. Soujanya Sharma, IAS, Executive Director, MMJHS, informed the chair that EOI was floated and three offers were received from three international bidders to which Chairman expressed his satisfaction and directed that the issues raised by the bidders should be taken up with the transitory consultant; The bidders can be asked to give presentation before we move further.
Bharat Bhushan Raina, Veena Gupta, AV Gupta, Raman Bhalla amongst others had attended the meeting.
With Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as CM J&K and consequently, Chairman, Governing Body, the 6th meeting was held on 19th June, 2015. He said that the efforts be made to restore complex without flirting with originality of structures, but also suggested the possibility be explored to convert Rani Charak Mahal into hotel.
Interestingly, AV Gupta had raised the issue in the meeting and requested that Mubarak Mandi be declared as protected monument, to which Pawan Kotwal, then Div Com Jammu clarified that MM is a protected monument under SRO 126.
Some of the members present in the meeting were Rajesh Gupta, then MLA Jammu (East), Dr Nirmal Singh, Priya Sethi, Ajay Khajuria, then Registrar, SMVDU, and Vikramaditya Singh.
However, political issues had forestalled the process then. The restoration efforts also witnessed a change with a change in leadership, and a new Master Plan was given approval in March 2019.
With MMJHS and stakeholders swinging between protecting Dogra Heritage and commercializing it, it remains to be seen what unfolds for the decaying heritage of Jammu in future. More to follow.
Also: Read my article at The News Now
Jinxed Mubarak Mandi (II)
The ‘protectors’ of today, were ‘facilitators’ yesterday
Published in The News Now on 2nd August, 2021
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