Hospitality & Protocol Dept rebuts news article on transfer of Toshkhana assets

Jammu, Nov 12:  The Hospitality and Protocol department has strongly countered the article published in a local daily newspaper on November 11 regarding the transfer of Toshkhana assets.

According to a communication, the H&P department has clarified and corrected several misinterpretations concerning the actions and efforts being undertaken by the Hospitality and Protocol Department, alongside other governmental bodies, to ensure a seamless and timely transfer of these invaluable assets.

The document added that the claim of "inordinate delay and lack of coordination" fails to consider the intricate and multi-layered nature of the process. It reads ‘Toshkhana assets include historically significant artifacts, precious metals and antiques of immense cultural value. The inventory and handover of such items require careful, exacting documentation, as well as collaboration across multiple agencies.

Due to the historical and irreplaceable nature of these items, it is essential to account for each piece precisely and securely. Moreover, certain items are housed in locations protected by multiple security layers, making access to them logistically challenging and understandably time-intensive”.

“The Hospitality and Protocol Department initaited immediate action following the Administrative Council's decision on August 13, 2022, as formalized by Government Order No.11-JK(H&P) on August 30.2022, which sanctioned the closure of Toshkhana Organization. In line with this directive, the department promptly initiated measures for asset transfer, issuing necessary instructions to relevant departments. However, the preservation and management of the assets require a collaborative and structured approach. Recognizing this, the government of J&K proactively constituted specialized committees under General Administration Department Order No.992-JK(GAD) dated August 21, 2023”, read the document.

These committees are being led by the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar and comprise of experienced, high-ranking officials including the Senior Superintendents of Police, Director Hospitality and Protocol Department and the Director of Archives, Archaeology and Museums. The committees have a critical role in coordinating across departments, ensuring that each piece within the Toshkhana is carefully cataloged and systematically transferred according to established protocols.

The communication further read “The Deputy Commissioners in both Jammu and Srinagar are at the helm of these efforts and are fully conscious of the urgency of this issue and have adopted a proactive approach. Under their guidance every efforts being made to expedite the transfer while prioritizing the security and preservation of the Toshkhana items. The committees are implementing streamlined protocols and addressing any procedural delays as they arise. They remain steadfast in coordinating across different administrative branches, ensuring all elements of the inventorying and transfer process are managed with the utmost efficiency and adherence to legal and procedural norms”.

The committees are working on a collaborative, “All-of-government” approach, recognizing the importance of each department's role in achieving a common objective. This approach underscores the government's dedication towards preserving these assets and managing the transfer with precision.

The process is progressing as efficiently as possible given the logistical challenges, procedural safeguards, and preservation standards necessary for transferring such valuable items. Far from neglecting their responsibility, the involved departments and committee members have been working tirelessly to meet the intricate requirements of this undertaking.

“The government is fully committed towards completing this transfer responsibly and expeditiously. We urge recognition of the complexity of this task and of the dedicated, ongoing efforts by the committees led by the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar, who are managing this process with diligence care, and accountability”, read the official rebuttal.

Earlier a news story carried by a local daily had claimed that due to lack of coordination, the H&P department is not taking seriously the repeated requests of the Directorate of Archives, Archeology and Museums regarding transfer of Toshkhana assets after preparation of list of artifacts on the prescribed format.

The newspaper had claimed that “Though manpower of the Organization was formally transferred to the Department of Culture soon after the decision of the Administrative Council yet handing over and taking over of the huge assets in the shape of historic articles which include gold and silver ornaments and armory kept in the stores of Toshkhana Organization including one inside the Civil Secretariat at Jammu is facing inordinate delay”.