High Court demands explanation from Punjab Government on the sale of Patiala’s heritage
by News Editor
http://news.ukpha.org/2013/02/high-...-government-on-the-sale-of-patailas-heritage/
In a major embarrassment for the Punjab Government, Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asserted that the State needs to be put on notice to explain why sale of heritage buildings and the land on which these stand be not stopped, writes Saurabh Malik in The Tribune.
Taking up a reference in this regard by Justice Ranjit Singh, Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain today issued notice to the State and other respondents. The notice came after Justice Ranjit Singh took suo motu cognizance of news-reports in these columns on crumbling heritage of Punjab. The State has also been asked to explain whether it intends to demolish century-old Patiala central jail or other heritage buildings in Baradari Garden.
In his detailed order, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “The news-items appearing in The Tribune dated February 11 and 13, 2013, make a very disturbing reading. The buildings of Quila Mubarak at Patiala and some other buildings like the century-old Patiala central jail building are falling apart or are being demolished to sell land over which these heritage buildings stand today.
“Quila Mubarak, which is an old building, depicts our heritage. But apparently is facing the apathy of the Government in regard to its preservation or maintenance…. If my memory does not fail me, even an earlier attempt made few years ago to demolish this building was checked by the court with a direction to preserve the heritage. Still nothing substantial seems to have been done”.
Referring to the reports, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “Most disturbing aspect is to notice that after being vacated, the century old jail building is to be auctioned, after which the Government plans to become richer by Rs 1,500 crore. This statedly is being done to pay the salaries of the employees and to run the expenditure of the Government.
“There has to be some accountability. The heritage buildings cannot be vandalized in this manner either by not maintaining them or by demolishing them and selling the land over which these buildings stand. In my view, there has to be a check on this aspect to preserve our rich heritage….
“The State of Punjab needs to be put to notice to respond as to why such buildings carrying heritage value be not maintained and preserved and why the sale of such valuable land and building be not stopped.
“The Government has to answer whether there is any move to demolish century-old Patiala central jail or other heritage buildings in Baradari Garden or such like places/buildings in the State. The Government also be put on notice as to what steps it has taken to preserve these heritage buildings situated in the State of Punjab and to preserve the priceless possession, which, according to the news-item, are left to decay….”
by News Editor
http://news.ukpha.org/2013/02/high-...-government-on-the-sale-of-patailas-heritage/
In a major embarrassment for the Punjab Government, Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asserted that the State needs to be put on notice to explain why sale of heritage buildings and the land on which these stand be not stopped, writes Saurabh Malik in The Tribune.
Taking up a reference in this regard by Justice Ranjit Singh, Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain today issued notice to the State and other respondents. The notice came after Justice Ranjit Singh took suo motu cognizance of news-reports in these columns on crumbling heritage of Punjab. The State has also been asked to explain whether it intends to demolish century-old Patiala central jail or other heritage buildings in Baradari Garden.
In his detailed order, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “The news-items appearing in The Tribune dated February 11 and 13, 2013, make a very disturbing reading. The buildings of Quila Mubarak at Patiala and some other buildings like the century-old Patiala central jail building are falling apart or are being demolished to sell land over which these heritage buildings stand today.
“Quila Mubarak, which is an old building, depicts our heritage. But apparently is facing the apathy of the Government in regard to its preservation or maintenance…. If my memory does not fail me, even an earlier attempt made few years ago to demolish this building was checked by the court with a direction to preserve the heritage. Still nothing substantial seems to have been done”.
Referring to the reports, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “Most disturbing aspect is to notice that after being vacated, the century old jail building is to be auctioned, after which the Government plans to become richer by Rs 1,500 crore. This statedly is being done to pay the salaries of the employees and to run the expenditure of the Government.
“There has to be some accountability. The heritage buildings cannot be vandalized in this manner either by not maintaining them or by demolishing them and selling the land over which these buildings stand. In my view, there has to be a check on this aspect to preserve our rich heritage….
“The State of Punjab needs to be put to notice to respond as to why such buildings carrying heritage value be not maintained and preserved and why the sale of such valuable land and building be not stopped.
“The Government has to answer whether there is any move to demolish century-old Patiala central jail or other heritage buildings in Baradari Garden or such like places/buildings in the State. The Government also be put on notice as to what steps it has taken to preserve these heritage buildings situated in the State of Punjab and to preserve the priceless possession, which, according to the news-item, are left to decay….”
