Fund crunch for construction of museum

The proposal to convert Sunnyside mansion, the residence of General K S Thimmaiah, as a museum has not been completed.

The RTO office was functioning from the Sunnyside in the past. After the RTO office was shifted to the new building on Abbey Falls Road, the house remained locked.

Shortage of fund and also lack of will power on the part of the government seem to have delayed the work.

It was proposed to construct a museum to create awareness among the youth on the achievement of General K S Thimmaiah. Although the government had given approval for converting the Sunnyside mansion into museum following a representation from ex-servicemen, Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimmaiah Forum office-bearers, it has delayed the process to release fund for the purpose.

Kannada and Culture Department director N R Vishukumar, who had visited Sunnyside two months ago, had promised to release the pending grants at the earliest. However, the fund is yet to reach the treasury of the district.

"The state government had released Rs 45 lakh in 2013-14 for the museum. So far, the government has released only Rs 1.45 crore. There is a need for fund for the completion of the project," said Nirmithi Kendra officials.

Forum office-bearers said, "Army Chief General Bipin Rawat during his recent visit to Gonikoppa had announced Rs 10 lakh for the museum. We are expecting to receive the funds."