The privatisation plans of the Amber Development and Management Authority (ADMA) seem to be going beyond the boundaries of protected monuments.

The officials behind the plans are allegedly keeping an eye on leasing out government-run restaurants to private hands. In the name of restoration, two prime restaurants of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) – Maotha in Amber Fort and Padao in Nahargarh Fort – have been closed down without any written information to the corporation.

Interestingly, the corporation officials have also not initiated any communication in this regard and are waiting for the next move of the ADMA. Sources in ADMA said the restaurants that were running in profit have been closed in view of plans to privatise these units, and so the process is secretly underway, the charge which ADMA denies.

Maotha Restaurant was closed seven months ago. The entrance of Padao Restaurant was locked two and a half months ago. The RTDC has spent lakhs of rupees on establishment of these units which the corporation is slated to lose. Employees of these units have also been adjusted in other units. The RTDC officials are not sure whether the corporation will get these units back. Sources say that closure of Durg Cafeteria of the RTDC is also on cards, apparently for "renovation".

RTDC executive director Jagdish Bhadu said the corporation was verbally informed of closure of the units. He said, "We are waiting for the renovation work to get over, after which things will be clear." The ADMA executive director expressed ignorance about the closure of the restaurants.

Rashpal Bhardwaj/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication