Jammu, August 13: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today presided over the 2nd Executive Committee Meeting of the Society for the Revival, Restoration, Preservation, and Maintenance of Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Principal Secretary of Culture, the Principal Secretary of the Agricultural Production Department, the Principal Secretary of Finance, Divisional Commissioners from both Kashmir and Jammu, the Director of Archives and Archaeology, the Engineer-in-Chief, and other relevant officers.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized the importance of restoring heritage sites while respecting local culture and aesthetics. He urged the department to identify heritage locations across each district that require revival and to incorporate the aspirations and demands of the community into the planning process.
Principal Secretary of Culture Suresh Kumar Gupta reported that the first Executive Committee meeting had reviewed and approved 35 proposals for the revival and restoration of heritage sites, with a total financial implication of ₹6,556.36 lakh, most of which have been completed. The District-Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committees have recommended 126 projects for the value-based revival and restoration of heritage sites. The committee approved several proposals for expedited action.
Some of the key sites scheduled for restoration this year include:
Poonch Fort
Baldev Ji Temple, Jammu
Ancient Mint at Basholi
Old Heritage of Uttervehini
Rattangarh Fort, Doda
Raghunath Ji Temple, Channi Sunderbani
Machail Mata Temple, Padder
Asthapan of Shah Asrar Ud-Din Bagdadi, Kishtwar
Pakka Pond at Jaganoo, Udhampur
Khanqahi Naqashband Sahib, Srinagar
Hazrat Syed Mohammad Jan Baz Wali (RA) at Khanpora, Baramulla
Neolithic Site at Gufkral, Tral
Imambara Qadeem Hussaini Mohalla, Shilvat, Sonawari
Shri Mata Baderkali Temple at Wadipora, Handwara
Sheikh Ul Aalam Shrine at Qaimoh, Kulgam
Uma Bhagwati Asthapan, Brari Angan (Uttresoo)
Baba Naseeb-ud-din Gazi Shrine, Bijbehara
Ziyarat Asaar Shareif, Pinjoora (Shopian)
Markazi Imam Bara, Budgam
In a separate meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo reviewed the functioning of the newly established 500-bedded Children’s Hospital in Bemina, along with officials from the Health and Medical Education Department, including the Secretary of Health, the Principal of GMC Srinagar, the Director of Health Kashmir, and various Heads of Departments from the Pediatric Hospital.
During the assessment, Dulloo reiterated that the relocation of the hospital from GB Pant, Sonwar, aimed to enhance facilities and introduce advanced procedures under one roof. He stressed the importance of timely implementation of these objectives and urged the hospital administration to focus on offering high-end pediatric care.
The Chief Secretary also called for the recruitment of full-time faculty to fill critical vacancies, including Professors and Associate Professors, to ensure the hospital provides top-quality medical care. He emphasized the need to develop a strategy to increase seats for DM and Senior Residents to cultivate a pool of pediatric specialists in the Union Territory.
Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, provided an overview of the current status of services at the hospital, outlining plans to establish it as a state-of-the-art pediatric medical facility in the region.
The meetings underscore the government’s commitment to preserving J&K’s rich heritage and enhancing healthcare services for its youngest residents.
