Sonepur: Nine months have elapsed since the district’s ‘Sanskriti Bhawan’ was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. However, it is still not yet functional and now looks like a haunted house.
Subarnapur district is known for its rich tradition in art and culture. With the aim of taking this cultural legacy forward, the ‘Sanskriti Bhawan’ was envisaged. People had then thought once the building turns functional it will be used to conduct cultural functions and it would also operate as a library. Sadly it hasn’t happened.
Construction of the building started in 2007-08 and the district administration undertook the work spending money from ‘Backward Regions Grant Fund’ (BRGF) and ‘Integrated Action Plan’. Later, with aid from the State Culture Department, the construction was completed at a whooping cost of Rs 1.5 crore
Sources however, alleged that no tender had been floated for the construction of the building. The order was placed in an engineer’s name and he along with his associates made merry with the funds available and took 12 years to complete the building.
Since the Bhawan was inaugurated July 24, 2018 by Patnaik, it has been under lock and key. Locals alleged that the district administration has made no efforts to make the building functional.
They also said that due to the lack of security arrangements, there is every possibility of miscreants decamping with valuables within the building. They informed that the building has become a favourite place for anti-socials who carry on illegal activities under its cover.
Residents of this district have urged the administration to take immediate steps to make the facility functional.
PNN
