Kempegowda's popularity gets hit for want of funds

Bengaluru University's plan to conduct a study and popularise monuments and historic places linked to city's founder Kempegowda has been stalled for want of funds.

The Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences, housed on BU Jnanabharati premises had proposed to conduct a study and popularise tanks, forts, monuments associated with the city's founder Kempegowda.

This followed the centre's report on tombs of Kempegowda located in Magadi, off Bengaluru.

The varsity had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BBMP to set up a chair and construct a building for the centre to function. As part of the MoU, the BBMP had to sanction an annual grant of Rs 15 lakh for the centre to conduct research.

According to top BU officials, the research work is yet to begin, as the funds that have been sanctioned were yet to be released.

"We do not have sufficient money for field visits. In the past, we visited a few tanks and forts at our own expense. We can't continue this as we would have to do multiple field visits to be able to conduct research," said the official.

Confusion over name

According to sources, the BBMP had turned down the varsity's request for funds.

"The varsity officials were told that the Kempegowda Chair was granted money in the past. However, the expenditure details have not been sent to the Palike. Most people think that Kempegowda Chair and the centre are the same while they work independently, a source said.

"Due to this confusion our funds are not released despite being approved," the source added.

No building

The varsity had entered into an agreement with the BBMP to construct a building for the Kempegowda research centre. The foundation laying ceremony was conducted in September 2017. However, there has been no progress after.

"Initially there were glitches as the forest department's permission was needed to clear some trees in the designated area on Jnanabharati premises. The permission has been granted. But yet, there has been no progress," said the department's senior member said adding that Rs 50 crore is the proposed budget for this.