CURCHOREM
In the absence of a Ravindra Bhavan at Sanguem, artistes and art lovers from entire Sanguem taluka, including Neturlim, Vadem-Curdi, Bhati, Kalay and Uguem, have to depend on the Ravindra Bhavan at Curchorem.
Many people from Sanguem had told Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar that a Ravindra Bhavan in the taluka would allow talented artistes from rural areas of Sanguem to showcase their talents.
Sanguem MLA Gaonkar had recently assured the people of Sanguem that a foundation stone for the Ravindra Bhavan at Sanguem would be laid by December, but added that land would be needed for the project.
There have been conflicting claims over the acquisition of about 8,000 sq mtrs of land for the proposed Ravindra Bhavan. While the Water Resources Department claims that the art and culture department has been handed over 8,000 sq mtrs of land, the latter maintains that the WRD land has not been transferred to it till date.
A Sanguem WRD official on condition of anonymity had earlier told The Goan that the art and culture department had requested 10,000 sq mtrs of land for the Ravindra Bhavan.
“However, the WRD handed over 8,000 sq mtrs of land and this space is sufficient enough to build a Ravindra Bhavan,
canteen, parking
space, etc.”
“We have handed over the land which was sought for the project and now it’s their job to set up the project. But till date, the land is lying unutilised and the project has not yet started at the site,” the source added.
When contacted, Deputy Director of Art and Culture Ashok Parab claimed that the WRD land has not been transferred to the art and culture department till date and hence no such process has begun regarding the Sanguem Ravindra Bhavan project.
Asked about the requirements for the project, Parab said: “The 8,000 sq mtrs of land is not enough for such a project, as there could be parking problems in future. For such a project, at least 15,000 to 20,000 sq mtrs is needed,” he said.
The deputy director of art and culture also made it clear that similar projects elsewhere in the State would be given first preference.
“Some projects have been incomplete even though foundation stones had been laid, like the Canacona Ravindra Bhavan where the foundation stone was laid in 2012. The work at Canacona has commenced recently and will be taken up first.”
“There are other cultural centers, such as in Pernem and Marcela, where
work will be taken up first and later, other such projects will be taken up,” informed Parab.
