DECEMBER 19: Official apathy and scarcity of funds over the past three years has led to the abject neglect of Punjab's 58 ``protected'' monuments. As against last year's projected budget of Rs 1 crore for conservation and preservation of these monuments, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums was allotted a paltry Rs 12.5 lakh. And this year, although the outlined budget was Rs 2 crore, not even a single paisa was sanctioned. As a result, work on conservation and excavation has practically ground to a halt.Prime amongst the monuments which require a major amount of funds and commitment to restore them to their former glory is the Ram Bagh in Amritsar – a once magnificent 84-acre garden complex complete with summer palace laid out by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818. Modelled on the lines of the famous Shalimar Bagh garden in Lahore, the garden was encircled by a 14-foot-high wall with a trench, and dotted with an elegant baradari, bathing tank and fountains. Otherwise stationed in Lahore,the maharaja traditionally spent three months of the year in his summer palace here – now converted into a museum.Today the baradari is ruined and the outer walls are crumbling. Years ago, the garden was encroached upon by three social clubs, housed in incongruous structures, totally violating the original design. Lamentably, the garden was declared ``protected'' a mere two years ago. The ancient clubs continue to function in disregard of an official two-year-old notification by the Amritsar Corporation, acquiring the property.Says a senior official from the archaeology department, ``These buildings should either be demolished, or notices given to the clubs to vacate." According to an official estimate, a sum of Rs 1 crore is required to landscape the garden and restore its original design. Another historic monument in urgent need of extensive repairs is the stately Qila Mubarak in Patiala. The fort complex sprawls over an area of 11.6 acres and comprises a darbar hall and various other chambers,surrounded by a gateway with outer walls. As against the initial Rs 42 lakh estimate submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India for carrying out roof replacement, the state department could spare a measly Rs 10 lakh last year.The Chief Archaeological Officer says, ``They are shortly going to stop the work as this sum is almost exhausted. Many buildings are about to fall, for which the responsibility falls on the department. But the money has to come from the government.''Other monuments in need of maintenance work are the Mughal Sarai in Shambhu, district Patiala, Aam Khas Bagh in Sirhind comprising a palace, Chabutra, Sheesh Mahal and other chambers spread over a 332 km wide area and a Moorish mosque in Kapurthala, which happens to be one of the only two such structures in the world. Excavations of historical sites within the state are also held up due to lack of funds. Work in this area has been restricted to initial surveys.
