Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 19: Dakshina Kannada district level Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan construction at Angadigudde, Urwa Store, had been completed about a year back. The government has invested Rs 17.82 crore in the project, but the building has not been inaugurated so far.

The project had been sanctioned in 2012-13 but the foundation stone was laid in January 2017. The then social welfare minister, H Anjaneya, who laid the foundation stone, had said that the Bhavan costing Rs 12 crore would be ready within a year. But till the end of 2019, the building took three years. Even though works were completed by the end of 2019, it has not been inaugurated.

As a result of intense demand of Dalit organizations, the then deputy commissioner, Subodh Yadav, had set aside 1.61 acres of land for the project in Derebail ward here.

The total project cost of the building is Rs 17.82 crore. The government had sanctioned Rs 12 crore while the city corporation here sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore. The social welfare department had written to Mangaluru Urban Development Authority, district urban development cell and Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat seeking grants but they refused to provide funds. As there are pending dues, the building has not yet been handed over to the social welfare department.

The building has come off well with an attractive design and appealing presence. It can be used for marriages, functions, and theatre activities. District social welfare department office which is now in the zilla panchayat building, and Mangaluru taluk social welfare department which is at the market road, will be shifted to the new building. It will be equipped with a well-stocked library and coaching centre for scheduled caste and tribes students.

MLA, Vedavyas Kamath, said that he has already discussed with social welfare department officials and efforts to get the acquisition of the building soon are continuing. He expects the needful to be done soon.