the goan I network
MARGAO
Ravindra Bhavan, Margao has seen a rise in the revenue generation over the last one year, with the cultural institution earning an additional Rs 17 lakh revenue by leasing the premises, even as Chairman Prashant Naik said the General Council will take the demand of the members for a probe into the expenditure incurred by the institution to its logical conclusion.
Addressing the media, Prashant said that Ravindra Bhavan had received a total grant of Rs 1.70 crore last year, which has helped the body to wipe out the dues to various service providers, including housekeeping, security, gardening, AC plant maintenance, etc.
He, however, said Ravindra Bhavan has earned an additional revenue of Rs 17 lakh in the last one year following a decision that all the facilities will not be provided free of cost to the public. “In the past, everything was made available free of cost. Now, we have imposed a nominal fee on the programmes taking place at the Ravindra Bhavan, without the same acting as a burden for the organisers,” he said.
When the media sought to know on the status of the repairs and maintenance of Ravindra Bhavan, which has been craving for attention over the years, Prashant said the Minister for Art and Culture is already on record stating that estimates are being prepared by the department for the maintenance of all Ravindra Bhavans in the State. “Once the estimates are prepared, I am confident that Ravindra Bhavan will be taken up for repairs and maintenance work,” he said.
Asked to comment on his opinion concerning the demand made by some members of Ravindra Bhavan for a probe into the spending by the body before he took over office, Prashant said the general council has already taken a decision and the same will be taken to its logical conclusion.
“Ravindra Bhavan will write to the higher ups, conveying the decision of the General Council demanding a probe into the spending by the cultural institution for the period before the incumbent committee took over office,” he said, adding that the government will take a positive call on the decision adopted by the General Council.
