Ambedkar Bhavan rendered useless in name of modernisation

Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan in the city has been rendered useless in the name of modernisation. Seven years have elapsed, but the renovation work carried by Land Army is nowhere near completion.

The Ambedkar Bhavan was inaugurated in 2003 and the following year, it was handed over to Tumkur University. The varsity used it for five years and handed back to Land Army in 2009 when the authorities decided to modernise.

The authorities concerned decided to augment facilities in the bhavan including the modernisation of acoustics, lighting system, seating arrangements and toilet facility among other. The Land Army was entrusted with modernisation work.

The Palike had sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for the modernisation of bhavan under 18% grant. The executing agency has taken up works on lighting system, toilets and other miscellaneous works.

But for the works on lighting system, seating arrangement for the first three rows and replacing the cement sheet with steel sheet, no other works have been carried out by the Land Army.

Dalit leader Kotta Shankar told DH, “The officials of the department concerned and the elected representatives have assured time and again that the modernisation will be completed soon and the bhavan will be made available for the students and organisations. But the assurances have remained just on paper. The inordinate delay in completing the modernisation of works has deprived the students and organisations of holding meaningful programmes and cultural activities,” the Dalit leader complained.

The building looks spick and span from outside. But the interior of bhavan presents a pathetic picture. Cement sheets are strewn all over the place, pipelines are damaged beyond repair, window panes are broken and the surroundings of the bhavan present a very unhygienic picture.

Coaching classes for the competitive exams for the students belonging to SC and ST communities are being held in the bhavan. The candidates are forced attend coaching in unhygienic surroundings.

An employee of Social Welfare department on the condition of anonymity told DH, “Now, Social Welfare department is planning to submit a fresh proposal for the renovation of bhavan at a cost of Rs 90 lakh.”

DH News Service