Brit soldiers killed in 1857 stand in way of Lucknow Metro, from graves
Monday, February 18, 2013
Two nondescript British cemeteries in the state capital, listed as protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are coming in the way of finalising the path of the tracks. "We are unable to take a call on deciding the alignment because the graves of some unknown foreigners (British soldiers) killed in the freedom struggle of 1857 are in close vicinity," an official on the panel for the metro project formed by CM Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday.
"You cannot see the graves from outside. They are tucked away in a corner inside a crumbling structure."
The ASI has declined to provide no objection certificate for metro tracks near the cemeteries in commercial hubs Kaiserbagh and Aminabad.
Lucknow has 18 such cemeteries and many of the graves are unmarked, without epitaphs."I have to discharge my duties within the framework of law," said PK Mishra, the superintending archaeologist of ASI's Lucknow circle.
The ASI has declined to provide no objection certificate for metro tracks near the cemeteries in commercial hubs Kaiserbagh and Aminabad.
Lucknow has 18 such cemeteries and many of the graves are unmarked, without epitaphs."I have to discharge my duties within the framework of law," said PK Mishra, the superintending archaeologist of ASI's Lucknow circle.
The ASI does have a provision for de-notifying sites and structures
that have lost historical relevance or can no longer be preserved due to
fund crunch. Mishra said a lake in the city was dropped from the list in 2005-06.
**The Ancient
Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Ancient
Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules prohibit any
construction or digging activity within a radius of 100 meters. The
rules
permit such activity on a case to case basis within a radius of
300-meters termed as regulated area under the Act.
**Unlike other states where most historical places are located in desolate areas, In Lucknow, almost all places of historical importance are located near crowded places.
** Judicial remedy seems to be the only recourse available to have a fresh look at the criteria under which sites and monuments can be classified as protected on their historical, architectural and heritage value, feel experts
**Unlike other states where most historical places are located in desolate areas, In Lucknow, almost all places of historical importance are located near crowded places.
** Judicial remedy seems to be the only recourse available to have a fresh look at the criteria under which sites and monuments can be classified as protected on their historical, architectural and heritage value, feel experts
© Copyright © 2012 HT Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.
4 Feb 2013
Hindustan Times (Lucknow)
After all, if national monuments of eminent political leaders have proper staff for their maintenance, how could the opulent tributes to Dalit ideologues be left unmanned. These seven BSP memorials and parks too required some manpower -- not just a handful of staff, but a contingent of around 1,000 servants, workers and security personnel for each Dalit landmark. The final count: a whopping 6,835-strong work force was needed to make these memorials tick with precision.
4 Feb 2013
Hindustan Times (Lucknow)
M Tariq Khan
tariq.khan@hindustantimes.com
Cutting the jumbo staff flab
Seven-member panel on memorials submits 40-page report to state government, suggests better utilisation of open spaces in and around these places along with reduction in staff strength from 5,788 to 565
It’s a story of shock and awe. If you are overawed by the sheer size and scale of the BSP’s grand memorials, the manner in which the private army was hired to ensure their upkeep is bound to give you a shock.After all, if national monuments of eminent political leaders have proper staff for their maintenance, how could the opulent tributes to Dalit ideologues be left unmanned. These seven BSP memorials and parks too required some manpower -- not just a handful of staff, but a contingent of around 1,000 servants, workers and security personnel for each Dalit landmark. The final count: a whopping 6,835-strong work force was needed to make these memorials tick with precision.
The
‘mission’ was achieved in a day. Necessary formalities and clearances
required to hire the staff was granted in just 24 hours! The way
overenthusiastic officials fell head over heels to comply with the
orders could well make
them qualify for the Guinness World Record. The task involved preparing a
seven-volume report containing the nature of jobs, creation of various
posts and obtaining the necessary government sanctions for these
appointments.
If that
sounds apocryphal fault the findings of the seven-member panel formed to
downsize memorial staff and suggest better utilization of open spaces
and buildings in and around these memorials. Six
months after it was set up by the State Government, the committee headed
by District Magistrate, Lucknow, has submitted its 40-page report to
the State Government.
Against the
existing 5,788-strong work force, the pruned strength of the employees
would be 565 for the seven BSP monuments and parks including the
memorial in Noida, state the committee’s recommendation
(see box). The excess staff can be merged or engaged by Tourism,
Estate Department, Power Corporation or local bodies (like Municipal
Corporation) as per their need and requirement, the report suggests. The
panel makes no bone about the fact that no ‘manpower
assessment’ was done or criteria was evolved before making these large
scale appointments And nothing reflects this whimsical approach better
than the battery of 140 employees including 21 cooks, 21 assistant
cooks, 51 waiters, 55 cleaners and 14 dining area
staff hired for Rama Bai Ambedkar Rally Sthal guest house, not used even
once so far!
How the
figure of hiring 6,835 personnel (including over 800 security staff) was
arrived at remains a mystery, which finds mention for the first time in
a letter written by LDA vice chairman to principal
secretary, housing on June 3, 2010. In his letter, the LDA VC states
that his request the Estate Department, UP Tourism Development
Corporation, State Museum and the Rajkiye Nirman Nigam to provide norms
for posts and appointment of staff for the management
of memorials and parks, had drawn a blank. Subsequently, the LDA VC on
his own recommended creation of 42 posts, which were sanctioned on June
19, 2010 by the State Government. Again on September 15, 2010 the LDA VC
wrote a letter to additional secretary LDA
and Managing Director Rajkiye Nirman Nigam to give a fresh proposal over
the number of employees required for the upkeep of these memorials.
“A
seven-volume report for the creation of 6,835 posts was prepared and
presented to the Smarak Samiti (management committee that looks after
these memorials) by additional secretary Lucknow Development
Authority and Joint Managing Director of the Rajkiye Nirman Nigam on
September 17, 2010. The samiti’s general body gave its nod to the
proposal the very next day (September 18, 2010),” the report points out.
The usually lethargic bureaucracy too showed remarkable
efficiency and granted official sanction to this proposal on September
24, 2010 but here the probe panel refrains from identifying them.
In the
absence of any specific government guidelines and norms for the nature
of work that the smarak samiti employees were required to perform, the
committee relied upon the maintenance manual drafted
by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) in 2000 to base its
findings. The manual provides a gardener for every two-acre stretch of a
park. “The total area occupied by these memorials under the
jurisdiction of the smarak samiti in Lucknow is 725 acres.
Of this 345 acres is green area. Hence, as per CPWD norms, the required
strength of gardeners should be around 175 whereas there are 525 such
posts currently in addition to 25 posts of lawn mower operators,” the
report points out.
Sanitary
workers, sweepers, cleaners (around 2415) form a major chunk of the
total work force followed by electrical and mechanical staff. “Since
there is a large number of duplicity of work involved,
majority of employees do not have any role or duty to perform most of
the time. Therefore, it would be advisable to outsource maintenance and
other such tasks to a private firm to curtail cost,” the report
suggests. A case in point is that of 117 posts each
that of plumbers and helpers, 18 stone carvers, 45 stone masons, 45
masons and 108 other workers (baeldar) that have virtually no utility or
work. Likewise, after retaining 57 electricians and helper electricians
out of the total 186, the remaining can be sent
to the UP Power Corporation.
On the
availability of unutilized land and buildings, the committee has said
since a large part of these memorials is green, except with the
exception of Rama Bai Rally Maidan, they cannot be put to
any other use. However, some surplus administrative blocks and buildings
could be used for setting up a college or a hospital or given to
government departments on rent. A huge vacant parking stretch near Rama
Bai Rally Maidan can be utilized for establishing
an International Bus Terminal, it has suggested.
As for
reducing the number of Suraksha Vahini guards, the probe panel has said
that the matter had been referred to the State Home Department.
Nonetheless, criticizing the slackness of these guards,
the committee has stated that the management of the security force
should be brought under the control of the Smarak Samiti
Though the
report has been submitted, the State Government is unlikely to take a
decision any soon on the recommendation with the Budget Session round
the corner for fear of an apparent political back
lash. But the tenure of the smarak samiti, which is a registered
society, would come to an end on February 28. “Since there are still
several loose ends like short listing employees to be shifted and those
to be retained, the samiti may be given a temporary
extension,” said a senior official on the panel.
“MEMORABILIA”
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal
The memorial is spread over
94.47 acres and only 5 per cent of the area is green. The sprawling
complex and premises have following components:
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Smarak
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sanghralaya (museum)
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Gallery
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Pratibimb Sthal
Drashya Sthal
Panel’s Recommendation: The memorial is looked after by a 901 strong work force. This would now be reduced to 57.
Breakup of employees:
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 53 08
Horticulture section 68 06
Supervisor and office staff 53 16
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 84 27
Total 258 57
Administrative blocks and buildings related to Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal
Community center and administrative block
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Gomti Buddh Vihar
Samajik Parivartan Prateek Sthal
Musical Fountain
Gomti Vihar Khand- 1,2, 3 and 4
Other Buildings
Administrative building near Lohia Park
Administrative building near Jia Mau Chowk
Utilities and huts (12) on road leading to Prateek Sthal from Samtamulak Chowk
Jan Suvidha Parisar near Jia Mau Chowk
Panel’s Recommendation:
976 employees maintain these properties and open spaces, there strength
would now be cut down to 74. Utilities and Huts: The 12 shops have been
transferred on a 30-year-lease to UP Toursim
Department, which will run a food court and crafts bazaar. Jansuvidha
Parisar near Jia Mau Chowk: Canteen has been given on a token lease rent
to UP Cooperative Diary Federation but four shops are still vacant.
Main administrrative block building to be given
on rent to National Investigation Agency, memorial staff to be relocated
to store room of the administrative block near Jia Mau Chowk, which
has 15 rooms half a dozen of which have been given to Women Powerline on
rent.. The open and green area of Gomti Vihar
Khand 2 and 3 can be used for organizing cultural programmes.
Breakup
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 36 03
Horticulture section 154 35
Supervisor and office staff 39 09
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 80 27
Total 309 74
Kanshi Ram Smarak Sthal
The memorial has a total area
of 46.34 acres of which 20 per cent area is green. It comprises an
administrative building that has 28 rooms. The Sthal has two other
buildings and is surrounded on three sides by an elephant
gallery. The main complex has a 16 feet bronze statue of Kanshi Ram and
six huge bronze murals.
Panel’s Recommendation: The entire premises is manned by a 653 staff, only 48 needed.
Breakup
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 31 06
Horticulture section 52 09
Supervisor and office staff 41 10
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 64 23
Total 188 48
Baudh Vihar Shanti Upvan
The memorial has an area of
26.86 acres and its 25 per cent portion is green. The two storeyed main
building besides containing two dormitories and 16 rooms to accommodate
visiting scholars it comprises following sections:
Vihara Bhawan
Sadhna Room
Library Room
Administrative building
Suraksha Vahini Office
Residential area (18 quarters)
Panel’s Recommendation:
The memorial has 668 employees, reduced strength 48. The administrative
building (built on 5440 square meter) and Suraksha Vahini Office (on
2752 square meter) would become “surplus assets”
after the pruned workforce is relocated. These two buildings could be
given to any government office/organization. Of the 18 residential
quarters on the premises, nine are allotted to employees and an equal
number are lying vacant. These rooms can be given
to Estate Department or to the Irrigation Department.
Breakup
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 17 01
Horticulture section 74 07
Supervisor and office staff 54 13
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 90 27
Total 235 48
Kanshi Ramji Eco Green Garden and Jan Suvidha and Parking Space
Total area 182 acres out of which 65 per cent area is green. The memorial has:
Administrative Building
Jan Suvidha Parisar/Canteen
Staff quarters and dormintory
Panel’s Recommendation:
Against existing 1272 workers only 113 are required. Canteen to be
given on contract to the highest bidder and not to UP Tourism Department
as per the government order on a Rs 10,000
monthly rent, which the panel found was too low. The two-storeyed
administrative blocks has 21 rooms and the dormitory 17. While block can
be retained for smarak samiti employees, the other block and servant
quarters can be given for office purposes to any
government or semi government department.
Breakup
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 41 08
Horticulture section 212 69
Supervisor and office staff 80 12
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 144 24
Total 477 113
Rama Bai Ambedkar Maidan and Related Area
Total area: 163.77 acres of which 35 per cent is green. The Maidan has following:
Dormitory
Administrative Building
Raen Basera
Parking P-1 and P-4
Rally Sthal
VVIP Guest House
Kanshi Ram Sanskritik Sthal and Park
The Maidan and its related areas are looked after by a work force of 970 employees whose strength would be reduced to 84.
Breakup
Category Existing Proposed
Cleaning/civil staff 36 07
Horticulture section 138 42
Supervisor and office staff 58 14
Public relations/electricity/
Canteen and parking staff 113 21
Total 345 84
Panel’s Recommendation
The administrative building
has 18 big halls. This building and the adjoining dormitories and Raen
Basera structures, have enough space for setting up a college or a
hospital even after relocating the smarak samiti’s
headquarters here from Gomti Nagar. The VVIP Guest House building can be
put to commercial use.
The huge, developed, vacant
plot of land covered by a boundary wall earmarked for parking (P4) just
next to Shaheed Path expressway can be used for establishing an
international bus depot. Likewise, after leaving aside
the 11 acre portion of Sanskritik Sthal, which has two statues, the
remaining 70 acres of land, which has an entrance plaza, a stage and a
green room, can be clubbed with 21 acre Smriti Upvan and used for
commercial purposes.
Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden, Noida/Greater Noida
Two parks: Gautam Buddh Park (87.5 acres) and Baba Saheb Ambedkar Park (35 acres)
Work on the memorials in
Noida and Greater Noida is still incomplete and these properties have
not been transferred to the memorial committee for upkeep. The memorials
are presently being maintained by 284 employees
whose number would be reduced to 110 now.
How Green Are Maya’s Memorials
Name Area (acres) Green %
Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal 94.47 05
Ambedkar (outer area) 79 70
Kanshi Ram Smarak Sthal 46.34 20
Baudh Vihar Shanti Upvan 26.86 25
Eco Garden 182 65
Ramabai Maidan 163.77 35
Noida?Greater
Noida
122 75
Sanctioned Posts for Smarak Samiti: 49
Chief Manager, manager
(administration), manager (finance), manager, assistant manager,
assistant manager (administration), assistant manager (maintenance),
accounts officer, server and network engineer, assistant
accounts officer, manager (electrical), manager (civil/sanitation),
manager (horticulture), senior assistant cum store keeper, accountant,
librarian, assistant accountant, supervisor (electrical), supervisor
(civil/sanitation), supervisor (arts/statues), supervisor
(public relations and ticketing), ticket clerk, store keeper, plant
operator, golf cart operator, electrician, sub-station operator,
cleaning and polish machine operator, tractor and trolley driver, clerk,
pump operator, mate (general), tractor and trolley
mechanic, plumber, cook, store helper, helpers for garbage disposal,
helper (plumber), mason, gardener, assistant cook, waiter, library
helper, house keeper, lawn mower operator, helper (electrician), peon
Posts To Be Scrapped: 41
Manager (maintenance),
manager (arts/statues), manager (public relations and ticketing),
manager (house keeping), assistant librarian, computer operator, golf
cart mechanic, safai machine mechanic, AC mechanic, façade
light operator, HT electrician, swagat karmi (usher), lift mechanic,
EPBX maintenance staff, computer system maintenance system, security
system and gadget maintenance staff, mait, stone carver, stone mason,
civil work staff, bronze cleaning-polish, granite
cleaning-polish, marble cleaning and polish staff, lawn mower mechanic,
lift operator, electrical equipment cleaning staff, golf cart cleaning
staff, safai karamcharis (general), aweepers (toilet) security system
and gadget helper, fountain cleaning staff,
sandstone grinder and cleaning staff, helper- polisher cleaning staff,
kitchen, VIP lounge cleaning staff, dining area cleaning staff, laundry
assistant, store cleaner and gateman.
