PANAJI
The controversy surrounding the renovation of the iconic Kala Academy shows no signs of settling down. The government’s repeated deadlines “ last being April 2023 “ for reopening the structure and vigilance inquiry into the alleged irregularities and corruption, both have failed to materialise.
The renovation work is still ongoing with the Minister of Art & Culture Govind Gaude now declaring a new deadline for completion in July.
Speaking to The Goan, he blamed technical issues such as design approval among others for the delay that ultimately hampered the progress of the work.
“I will ask for an exact chart (regarding the progress of the work). We have set a target for the contractor to ensure the completion of the renovation by July… This work is undertaken by the PWD,” he said.
The Charles Correa Foundation (CCF), which maintains the archives of the projects designed by Architect Charles Correa, has raised concerns time and again about potential tampering with the conservation efforts.
The foundation is specifically disappointed with the modifications made to the Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium under the guise of acoustic treatment.
“We are given to understand that the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium has been fully modified under the guise of acoustic treatment. It is quite a concern because it will ultimately destroy the sanctity of the auditorium,” architect Arminio Ribeiro for the CCF, told The Goan.
When asked about the delay, Ribeiro expressed uncertainty about the outcome of the situation given a series of missed deadlines. The CCF currently has no access to the ongoing works but keeps its fingers crossed. The expert further emphasised the importance of fully conserving the building and preserving its originality.
Now that the renovation of Kala Academy remains incomplete, the vigilance inquiry is also yet to yield any conclusions. In fact, the inquiry has not begun full-fledged.
It was in January the government constituted a three-member committee of Ashish Rege (Professor and Principal at Architecture College), K G Gupta (GEC Professor) and Sandip Chodnekar (GSIDC official) to inquiry into allegations of irregularities and corruption sans a Chairman. Only after two months, Rege was appointed as the Chairman but by this time, the deadline of 60 days for completion of inquiry lapsed.
Five months down the line, there is no sign of inquiry since some members raised feasibility issues such as traveling from a far distance. Sources said no documents have been collected and allegedly no statements are recorded either.
