Palace takeover plan put on hold

Source:

Imphal, October 04 2013 : The State Government has reportedly decided to maintain status quo of the royal palace, which it had planned to take over to initiate renovation and development programme.

Speaking on condition of anonymity a Sana Konung (royal palace) Semgat Lup functionary confided that the Government issued an official order for keeping in abeyance the previous proposal to ‘acquire’ the Palace.

A letter addressed to the Lup president, Deputy Secretary (Art & Culture) Kimjalhai Kipgen on September 7, 2013 said “The State Government will not at present apply the provisions of the Manipur Ancient Historical Monuments & Archaeological Sites & Remains Act 1976 to the Sana Konung as the latter is proposed to be developed solely to bring it back to its former glory” .

File pic of a protest against Palace take-over

The functionary also informed about a meeting between Lup representatives and the high power committee represented by its chairman Th Devendra and Heingang AC MLA N Biren on August 30 wherein the former raised strong objection against the Government’s plan to develop Sana Konung as a monumental structure, welcomed the move if it was for repairing/renovation purpose, urged for upholding traditional rights of the titular king and opposed proposal for shifting of the king to another location.

in the backdrop of the Government intimation, a 12-member Lup delegation, including its president Gopalmacha and secretary Pukhrihongbam Araba held a meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday afternoon during which the CM reiterated the Government’s plan to develop the royal palace.

Apart from proposing that the Lup designate individual (s) who could assist in the Palace development plan, the CM is also said to have confided that development of Sana Konung would on the Tripura palace model.

Assuring that no development/renovation work detrimental to the interest of the titular king or the people would be undertaken along with affirming that only after prior consent of all concerned and relevant process for development of the historic complex would be initiated, the CM also revealed Government’s plan for setting up a trust to oversee development works.

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/palace-takeover-plan-put-on-hold-2/