Renovated heritage building has no takers!

Negligence

With the construction of a Mini-Vidhana Soudha at Nehru Nagar in the town, taluk, treasury and sub-registrar’s offices were shifted to the spanking new premises.

Based on the recommendations of researcher Dr Srivatsa S Vati, during the tenure of previous deputy commissioner Navinraj Singh, the UNESCO was urged to declare the Taluk Office alongwith the historical temple in Belur as heritage structures.

Later, this building was transferred temporarily to the tourism department for renovation and also with plans to construct a ‘tourist complex’. Subsequently, the former deputy commissioner transferred the building to the tourism department.

Even though four months have passed since the building was renovated, there are no signs of converting it into a tourist complex.

When questioned, Tourism Department officials pointed out that the construction of a building for the Food Craft Institute underway near the Yagachi Dam.

 Instructions have been given to the institute to use the  defunct taluk office as its campus until the new building is constructed. However, no one seems to be coming forward to set-up their facility here.

History

Built during the British era, the building was popular as ‘Amaldar’s Office’. It later functioned as the office of the Tahsildhar, for looking after  the taluk-level administration.