PONDA: The Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir was inaugurated at the hands of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, in the presence of other ministers and MLAs, at a grand function on April 30. This was followed by consecutive days of free, government-sponsored programmes till 15 May. Thereafter, there have been no bookings, no dramas, no tiatrs, and no music at the Kala Mandir.
The government had declared several dates for the inauguration of the much-delayed RGKM project, and it finally managed to do the same, albeit hurriedly. However, after the 15-day programmes, the RGKM once again wears a deserted look. The reason is the lack of a power connection.
The inauguration and subsequent programmes was held with the help of a generator, which was rented at a rate of Rs 30,000 per day until May 16.
As the government published many advertisements in the newspapers regarding the RGKM being thrown open to the public, artistes have been visiting the building to book a stage for their shows. However, the staff at the booking counter says that they are not accepting bookings as a power connection has not yet been provided. They also ask the people to contact the authorities for more information. The work of providing an electricity connection is reportedly going on and will be completed in June or July.
Sources have informed that an 11 KV power line is to be laid, the work of which is in progress.
“If the government was to close the Kala Mandir after its inauguration, why did it do the drama of inauguration using a generator?” said Viraj Sapre. He and his friend Rocky Dias had gone to the booking counter to organise a tiatr at the RGKM, but were sent back, citing lack of a power connection.
Additionally, the building does not have any parking provision as construction material has been dumped in the parking lot.
Sapre said that many people were visiting the RGKM to get book slots for their programmes, but were disappointed with the situation.
“It was thrown open to the public after a long gap of six years. But after 15 days, i.e. from May 16, it was it was closed for programmes. Those approaching the booking counter are told that bookings are not being accepted as there is no power connection. It is surprising that without completing this work, the government hurriedly inaugurated the RGKM by taking a generator on daily rent of Rs 30,000,” said Sapre.
He said that from the day of the inauguration to May 15, people flocked to watch programmes at the Kala Mandir, but none of them realised that power was being supplied by a generator, which he said was cheating the people of Ponda.
Sapre questioned why the government had wasted Rs 30,000 daily for 15 days, which amounts to around Rs 4.50 lakh.
“A new generator could have been purchased in the same amount. It is a waste of public money. Why did the government inaugurate it without an authorised connection from the Electricity Department?” said Sapre.
Herald tried to contact Ponda MLA and Kala Mandir chairman Lavoo Mamledar by phone, but was unsuccessful.
