Funds galore, but enthusiasm drops for construction of community halls

Incomplete community halls welcome visitors at majority of the places in the district. The construction of samudaya bhavans with funds from the MPs, MLAs and zilla panchayat has not served the purpose.

The leaders of each community gives priority for the construction of samudaya bhavans for the benefit of their community and also become successful in seeking permission and funds from the elected representatives. But the enthusiasm while seeking funds, decreases in completing the works.

Samudaya bhavans play a major role in the development of a particular community. While the buildings which should be a platform for developing the art and culture, it is seen locked for years, in some villages in the district. In some places, the buildings are used for the activities of Stree Shakti and self help groups.

Association members visit the place for an hour once in a month for verifying accounts and the lock is opened only during next meeting. It is said that more than half of the community buildings are not being utilised. But those seeking permission for construction of more such buildings are on the rise.

More than Rs 13 crore was sanctioned under MP and MLAs fund in the last four years for building community halls. The constructed building face lack of maintenance as it is used only for ceremonies in villages and the chances of providing space for other communities is also less. The halls which should be a place for social development has lost its purpose and the leaders too have no answer for this.

Causes for delay

The main reason for delayed works is that no time limit has been given for the completion of the building. Insufficient allotment of funds is also said to delay the works. Moreover, an agreement should be signed with the deputy commissioner to utilise the funds and