Dulloo eviews promotion of culture & allied activities in J&K
SRINAGAR, AUG 6:
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today held a meeting of Culture Department to take stock of its activities for promotion of culture & heritage along with its preservation and protection here in J&K.
Present in the meeting were Principal Secretary, Culture; Secretary, R&B; Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS); Director, Libraries & Research; Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums; Representative from Academy of Art, Culture & Languages besides other concerned officers
CS sets target of
either physically or virtually through video conferencing. During this meeting the Chief Secretary impressed upon the officers to take every measure for protection and preservation of our valuable artefacts and historical monuments. He maintained that these depict our rich culture and heritage in the past, therefore pretty significant for the awareness of our younger generations.
He underscored the need of completing digitization of all the archival material for its preservation and easy access to all. He enjoined upon the officers to take the tendering process to logical conclusion so that this important task is completed forthwith.
Dulloo also emphasised upon completing the ongoing works of restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, starting work on the drag lift there besides creating other facilities there.
He asked about the activities held by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages across the UT. He directed for utilizing the spaces of Kala Kendra, Jammu and Tagore Hall, Srinagar more optimally for promotion of art and culture round the year.
The Chief Secretary further took note of the project for completion of balance work of SPS Museum here. He also advised for formulating a feasible DPR for Tehzeeb Mahal which could be taken up and completed in a reasonable period of time.
On this occasion the Principal Secretary, Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta gave insights about the working of the Department and the action taken by them to implement the previous directives.
He made out that the segregation of records has almost been completed and the NIT for digitization would be floated by Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums shortly.
Gupta further apprised the meeting that the restoration/ conservation/ preservation of 35 heritage sites was taken up under Phase-I of the scheme. He also gave out that under phase-II, DPRs of 126 heritage sites/shrines had been received for finalization by expert committee.
It was added that among 200 monuments iconography of 80 had been done so far. It was given out that exercises are underway to bring these monuments on tourism map in association with the Department of Tourism.
Moreover the meeting was apprised that the work on modernization of SRS Library, Jammu taken in hand at a cost of Rs 6.93 Cr is at advanced stage of completion. It was said that the work on new Library buildings including District Library Baramulla, Tehsil Library Kreeri, Tehsil Library Aishmuqam, Tehsil Library Bhaderwah and Tehsil Library Kishtwar would also be completed in this year only.
About modernization of Libraries, it was divulged that 1st Volume the descriptive catalogue of Persian manuscripts has been completed. While that of Arabic and Sanskrit Manuscript is currently under proof reading process.
It was informed that the internet connectivity is being ensured in all the Tehsil Libraries with 6 of them already provided the same. Further in the first instance, timings of SPS Library Srinagar & SRS Library Jammu have been extended from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM for the ease of students and other people preparing for different competitive examinations.
It was given out that a culture awards scheme is being framed with provision for 15 awards (03 Lifetime Achievement Awards, 04 Culture Iconic Awards, 06 Youth Inspiration Awards & 02 Culture NGOs Awards) by the Department in consultation with the finance department.
Regarding the LG Rolling Cultural Trophy the meeting was informed that the portal for the event is in advance stage of preparation by IT Department and is expected to be ready by 15th of August this year.
The meeting also had deliberations over the works being executed by MMJHS. The work on Darbar Hall, Dogra Museum, adaptive reuse of Ram Singh’s Queens Palace and the need of parking there. It also held discussion on other allied works, the tendering of which would be done after completing other technical formalities in a time-bound manner.
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, while chairing a meeting to assess the progress made on implementation of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in the UT impressed upon KPDCL and JPDCL to achieve installation of 1000 rooftop solars by each of them to achieve the targets well in time.
Present in the meeting were Principal Secretary, PDD; Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Science & Technology; MD, JPDCL/KPDCL;CEO, JAKEDA; Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Representatives from NHPC/REC besides other concerned officers either physically or virtually through video conferencing.
Dulloo while going through the implementation plan of the DISCOMS urged them to clear the registered applicants forthwith by following up their cases with the vendors for instant installation of rooftop solars (RTS).
He advised the Department that efficient delivery on their part would result in enhancement of credibility among masses which would directly improve its traction among them.
He also called for resolution of portal glitches by taking them up with the concerned ministry. He underscored the need of creating the necessary awareness among people to take benefit of this people-oriented scheme.
Earlier while taking stock of the solarization of government buildings through J&K Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), the Chief Secretary took note of the progress made on tendering process funded either by Capex or through RESCO mode.
In his presentation, the MD, KPDCL, Masarat-ul-Islam threw light on different aspects of PM Surya Ghar Yojana scheme. He apprised the meeting that the Department has given a wide publicity highlighting the benefits of this scheme.
He gave out that people had started registering for this scheme now and the progress in coming months would be swift and on expected lines. He revealed that the applications received by KPDCL are 2372 and by JPDCL 3151 from different districts of their operation.
Regarding the scheme it was given out that it is the first pan-India On-Grid solar rooftop scheme for residential houses aimed at bringing down AT&C losses by providing free/ low-cost electricity.
It was elucidated that the scheme carries a lucrative central subsidy of up to Rs85,800 for SRT of 3 kwp (1 kwp: Rs33,000; 2 kwp: Rs66,000) with additional UT subsidy of max up to Rs9000for 3 kwp (1 kwp: Rs 3000; 2 kwp: Rs 6,000) that goes directly into beneficiary’s account through DBT.
The meeting was further apprised that the scheme is live in both the divisions with a target of 39,500 households for JPDCL and 44,000 households for KPDCL to be met till 2027. Out of these JPDCL has closed the inspection calls/installation of panels of 271 customers and KPDCL that of 262 till now.
It was added that the customers grievances are centrally tracked through a call centre accessed by dialling a toll free number 15555. The meeting was informed that 68 grievances received had been resolved upto the full satisfaction of the customers.
As far as the progress on Solarization of government buildings is concerned, it was revealed by the Commissioner Secretary, S&T, Saurabh Bhagat that the department has finalized the modus operandi to saturate the government buildings with installation of Solar rooftop plants either through Capex funding or in RESCO mode.
JAKEDA has floated e-tender for installation of 70 MW solar rooftop plants under Capex covering some 8792 government buildings and 175 MW covering 7039 buildings under RESCO mode.
It has entered into an agreement with NHPC to install 63 MW more solar rooftop plants over 2939 buildings also in RESCO mode which would take the cumulative capacity to 343 MWs all over the UT.
Moreover the meeting discussed the issues of installation of smart meters by the respective DISCOMS in all these buildings and passing of virtual net metering benefit to DISCOMS to the beneficiary consumers.
