HC questions ADMAs competence

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday expressed concern that the Amber Development and Management Authority, a body devoid of any technical expertise, is carrying out restoration work at Amber Fort. A division bench comprising Justice Ashok Parihar and Justice G S Saraf also directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit within two weeks specifying as how the Amber Development and Management Authority was handed over the charge of Amber Fort despite having a complete specialized department of archaeology. The government has also been directed to file details of the funds allocated for the restoration work and the sources from where these funds came to the Amber authority. The government has also been asked to provide the details of the funds which have been utilized so far in the name of restoration. It was stated by state authorities in the court during the course of argument that the entire restoration work is to the tune of nearly Rs 33 crore, out of which Rs 12 crore has already been spent on restoring old heritage. The order came on a report filed by amicus curiae Abhinav Sharma who alleged that the ADMA is a big source of corruption. He alleged big shots of the BJP regime were behind the creation of the authority. Taking a serious note of the submissions made by the amicus curiae, Justice Parihar wanted to know from the director, archeology as to who is the competent authority to look after restoration work in the fort. B L Gupta, director, archeology, who was earlier asked to remain present in the court on Wednesday, told the court that he is merely an administrative officer and only the superintendent, Amber, can give export opinion. However, Zafarullah Khan, superintendent, Amber Palace Museum, also failed to answer the queries of the bench. Annoyed by vague statements made by Khan who also denied the report and photographs tabled by the amicus curiae, the court commented that even as a lay man, the members of the bench understand that restoration does not mean a total change of the interiors like putting air conditioners, music system, bar, pantry, resketching the paintings etc.

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