Amid controversy over the Tripura authorities’s transfer to show the Pushpavant Palace in Agartala right into a luxurious lodge underneath the Taj Group, state Cupboard spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury stated the constructing is a authorities asset, so the dispensation has the correct to take a choice on this regard.
Chatting with reporters, the minister stated in Agartala on Friday night, “This palace was the property of the kings and royal household throughout monarchial instances. Because the merger of Tripura with the Indian Union, it’s a authorities asset and the federal government could take any resolution on its property.”
To the opposition from royal scion-turned-politician Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the minister stated that previously royal constructions and properties have been doing enterprise within the state, together with establishing marriage halls. That is seen as an indirect reference to a few of the belongings of Pradyot Kishore and his sister Pragya Debbarman, that are used to host weddings.
Chowdhury reiterated that he didn’t want to damage anybody’s sentiments however solely wished to state that discussions – underneath Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha – are on with the Tata group relating to establishing a lodge on the Pushpavant Palace however no resolution has been taken but.
Earlier this month, Debbarma had opposed the proposal. “I need improvement of tourism sector within the state. In case you (authorities) need to make a lodge in another place, I shall provide you with land. This has occurred earlier as effectively. Our historic locations have been renamed, standing was modified. For the way lengthy will you do that? I urge the folks of all communities, who’ve respect and data of historical past and tradition, to oppose such a transfer,” he stated.
Chowdhury stated the palace is presently being renovated to make sure that it meets earthquake-resistant requirements and reassured that the federal government doesn’t have plans to demolish the construction.
Historical past of Pushpavant Palace
In-built 1917 by the then king Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarman, Pushpavant Palace was the Governor’s Home until 2018 when the Raj Bhavan was inaugurated within the New Capital Complicated. The preliminary plan was to redevelop the palace as a digital museum.
When the erstwhile princely state merged with the Indian Union in 1949, the palace was handed over to the federal government by the then regent queen Rajmata Kanchan Prabha Devi to accommodate the Governor.
Pradyot Kishore stated that opposite to the understanding between the royal household and the federal government to accommodate the governor, he got here to know of plans for a five-star lodge with out consulting the folks or contemplating their tradition or sentiments.
“Every part can’t be carried out for cash, for revenue. I utterly oppose it and I’m telling the federal government to rethink the choice or else we’ve to hit the streets,” Debbarma stated in a video message on social media.
Earlier than coming to energy in 2018, the BJP-IPFT alliance had promised to transform the palace into Maharaj Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum and Cultural Centre. Later, discussions started at hand over a portion of the property to the Taj Group to transform it right into a luxurious lodge.
Ujjayanta Palace, the previous abode of Tripura’s Manikya monarchs until the merger with the Indian Union, served because the state Legislative Meeting until 2011 and is now the state museum.
Malancha Niwas, close to the Pushpavant Palace, continues to be standing and components of it have been not too long ago renovated by the descendants of the erstwhile royal household whereas different royal constructions just like the ‘Laal Mahal’ have been demolished in the course of the tenure of the Left Entrance authorities.
