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Milchar
October-December 2001 issue
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Asthapans - Potential
Source of Community
... C. L.
Sadhu
Almost
all Asthapans/Devasthans/Temples in the Valley, with which were attached
both cultivable, non-cultivable land and other immovable property were
largely under the control of Dharmarth Trust with huge offerings (chadawa)
all the year round. After 1947, some few were left to the taken care of
by Sudhar Samiti Trust, started long back by Shri Gopi Kishenji, renowned
proponent of Kumdlani Yoga philosophy at Shivalaya Temple, Srinagar. Presently
Justice J.N.Bhat is the acting President/Chairman of the Trust. Large chunk
of construction land attached to the temple at Sulena (Rambagh), cultivable
land both at Nishat/Ishber and also attached to the cremation ground Chinar Bagh, Safa Kadal under its control, were reported disposed of, before our
migration/displacement from the Valley. The Trust is reported to have purchased
a plot of land at Jammu with construction of 2 rooms and a community hall.
It has added recently rupees five lacs to its revenue with sale proceeds
of its surplus land to Ramakrishna Ashram within its premises constructed
of long with sole initiative of Prof. B.K.Kaul, a whole time devotee, now
is consented to be the sub centre of R.K.Ashrama, Udhaiwala, Bohri, Jammu,
a recent affiliate of Ramakrishna Muth, Belur, Calcutta.
Durganag
Mandir, at Sonawar os governed separately by its own Trust presently held
by Shri P.N.Takoo. The Trust with large premises, buildings and land attached
to it from either side of the road has a large chunk of orchard land around
Ram Kaul Mandir at the foot of Hari Parbat under its control. This being
an ideal place for KP displaced personnel for a short transit stay
located on the national highway within the catchment area of Tourist Reception
Centre, Residency Road and Civil Secretariat. Construction of a guest house,
3-4 rooms and a hall to start with and face lifting of the inner precincts
are the priorities to Trustees need to take on urgent basis.
The Shankaracharya
Temple and Raginya Bhawani Shrine at Tulla Mulla are under the control
of Dharmarth Trust. No development work of any kind has been undertaken
by the Trust despite huge collection of offerings (chadawa) for the last
over half a decade. The rush of pilgrims on Zeth/Ashad Ashtami at the Tulla
Mulla shrine is reported to have touched nearly 20,000 this year. It is
reported that some KP volunteers from the AG's office and Civil Secretariat
have formed the Hindu Devotee Sanastha under Mr. R.L.Bhan, Statistical
Officer, Education Deptt., Civil Secretariat, who have recovered Rs. 20
lacs from the Trustees through a court order part of which is presently
being expended for the construction of big Dharamshala and Hawanshala since
the old Dharamshallas are under the occupation of the security forces.
Recently
after the Legislative Assembly passed a bill allowing the formation of
Shrine Board for Holy Amarnath on the lines of Mata Vaishnov devi Board,
the state government has constituted the Board without any KP representation.
However an 11 member committee has been constituted under the convenership
of Prof. Satish Raina, Adviser, Minority Affairs, for the management and
administration of all KP Hindu Asthapans/Temple Trusts/Committees, Charitable
Trusts in the Valley. Other members of the committee are Shri T.N.Khosa,
Shri A.N.Vaishnavi, Shri P.N.Takoo, Shri A.K.Deewani, Prof. T.N.Ganjoo,
Dr. Surrender Dhar, Dharam Bir Batra, Smt. Neerja Mattoo, besides IGP and
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. It is reported the Committee has even
deliberated in a sitting convened recently in Srinagar.
What
is urgently needed, is to survey, identify and have access to the records
of the Asthapans/Temples/Charitable Trusts in all the districts of the
valley and locate/trace the managers/management of the concerned Trusts/Committees,
some of whom are reported to be in hibernation for long. This exercise
has to be attempted by the concerned deputy commissioners through their
revenue officers at tehsil/block level to be assisted by the reputed concerned
social activists living mostly as campers/non-campers at Jammu/Delhi. All
records of assets, both in cash and kind (cultivable, non-cultivable and
orchard lands including movable/immovable properties) under control of
these Asthapans/Temple Trusts/Committees, Charitable Trusts, need to be
consolidated and a full inventory prepared accordingly. The priority
shall be to remove and vacate the encroachments wherever made with the
help of police/revenue departments. Steps be initiated to fix, execute
the rent deeds with the concerned authorities and recover the rent retrospectively
wherever the security forces or other agencies have occupied the premises.
Under the Protection and Maintenance of Migrant Property and Distress Sale
Act, negotiations for sale of any kind of land, portion of land or lending
on lease, need to be stalled.
(The author
has been associate of ASKPC Srinagar, KP Sabha Jammu for long and a committed
founder member of AIKS Trust Fund, presently residing at Colaba, Mumbai
after his retirement.)
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