Facing unprecedented financial crunch, the Department of Cultural Affairs in Punjab, has sought cooperation from public for maintaining Punjab's rich historical monuments.

The Principal Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Mr G.S.Cheema, yesterday admitted that due to serious funds constraints, his department was unable to undertake the preservation work of a large number of museums, archives, monuments and other historical sites.Mr Cheema said that the government had failed to transfer Rs 4 crore allocated to the department in the current financial year. He rued that the ceiling of its archives building, situated in an old palace in Patiala, that caved in last year was yet to be repaired. Mr Cheema added that the repair works required an estimated amount of Rs 22 lakh but a paltry sum of Rs 2 lakh was disbursed as such the repairs could not be completed.

The sorry state of affairs of the Department of Culture reflects the present condition of various forts of religious and historical importance. To overcome the financial crunch, the department has sought the help of NGOs. The Feteh trust of New Delhi that offered to repair its archive building at Delhi had also offered to repair its building at Patiala.

Earlier, addressing a symposium Mr Cheema said the historical Ram Bagh gardens popularly known as Company Bagh had been declared as a protected area, but various clubs occupying large portion of the garden continue to construct building in violation of the notification issued by the Punjab Government on April 10, 1997. But the dilly dallying approach of the district administration has added to the woes of the people.

The Principal Secretary said though the district administration had assured the committee to look after the gardens but the club continues to add new structure to its present building. Interestingly, the Deputy Commissioner is the President of one of these clubs.

Mr Cheema said the corporate houses, individuals and NGOs must come forward to help the state government to undertake the repair work of neglected monuments in the state.Mr Cheema suggested that the local voluntary organisations should approach the national cultural funds started by the Central Government for the allocation of funds for heritage projects. Such schemes should be properly drafted, and the state government could offer all possible help in the execution of such projects, he added.

The members attending the symposium presented a six-point memorandum to the Principal Secretary. They urged him protect Ram Bagh gardens and convert the Gobindgarh fort presently in occupation of the Army into a war museum.