the goan I network
MARGAO
Chairman of Margao Ravindra Bhavan, Prashant Naik on Friday said the premiere cultural institution may be shut down by May next on the lines of Kala Academy if the government fails to take up repairs and renovation of the complex on urgent basis.
In this connection, he said a delegation of the Ravindra Bhavan Executive Council will call on the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Minister for Art and Culture, Govind Gawde to impress upon the government to take up the repair work on a war footing with the main auditorium witnessing water seepage during rains.
He further said the Executive Council will also impress upon the government to take necessary decision to put in use the annex buildings, saying these buildings may just collapse for want of use.
Addressing the media, Naik recalled that soon after taking over the reigns of office in 2017, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had brought then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to Ravindra Bhavan to see for himself the state of affairs, with the roof of the dome leaking and may come down for want of replacement or repairs. “That time round, Parrikar was apprised of the issues plaguing Ravindra Bhavan, including the repair work and the relaying of the pavers. We had also drawn his attention to the audio studio lying idle for years on the pretext that the matter is pending before the Vigilance,” he said, adding that lakhs of rupees were spent on the audio studio, but was never put to use because of the vigilance case.
The Chairman pointed out that he had repeatedly drawn attention of the Art and Culture Minister during his visit to the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao during a cultural occasion.
“The Minister had been handing out assurances that the government would soon take up repair and renovation work on the Ravindra Bhavan,” Naik said.
Apprehending that Ravindra Bhavan may be shut down by May if the repair work does not start immediately, including the replacement of the dome, Naik feared that tiatr will be the worst affected if Ravindra Bhavan is not available for the public.
“We hope the Chief Minister would soon come out with a solution. Water seepage has been taking place over the last three years, but it has only worsened now,” he added.
