Karnataka   

Nijalingappa memorial work plagued by delays

Chitradurga: People paid homage to the former Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa on the occasion of his eighth death anniversary, here on Friday.

Meanwhile, the work on a memorial for Nijalingappa at Seebar village, about five km from here, has been delayed for various reasons.

Several of his followers decided to construct a memorial for Nijalingappa about eight years ago. The State Government decided to extend financial assistance to the project which was expected to be completed in two years.

However, completion of the project has been delayed owing to shortage of funds and alleged shoddy work by one of the implementing agencies.

Shanmukhappa, a close associate of Nijalingappa and a member of the Nijalingappa Memorial Trust, said that according to the plan, the memorial, which was coming up on a four-acre land, would have an auditorium, a museum and a park.

Rooms had been constructed for providing free computer training to students from rural areas, he said and added that there was a proposal to build a dormitory for the students.

“Two philanthropists donated about Rs. 70 lakh for the project. However, the work, which began with limited resources, was suspended as the funds were exhausted. Besides, the implementing agency did not execute the work effectively,” Mr. Shanmukhappa said and added “later, we sought assistance from the Government”.

The work was suspended for four years owing to dearth of funds.

After a prolonged struggle by the trust, the former Finance Minister Siddaramaiah released Rs. 1 crore for the project. This helped the trust to resume work on the memorial. During the tenure of the previous coalition Government, the then Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa granted Rs. 1 crore for the project on the condition that the work should be completed before December 2007.

Despite the release of funds, the work has been delayed for various reasons.

“A tender has to be called for execution of works such as developing the park, construction of roof and flooring,” he said and hoped that the tender would be invited soon.

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