Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Dec 15: With reference to the demolition of a 156-year-old heritage structure in which a school was being previously run and which was the venue which was used by the late Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth to impart dance training to the children, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, Dr K V Rajendra, has asked the deputy director of public instruction and zilla panchayat chief executive officer to investigate the circumstances under which this happened and file report thereof.
The ancient building which was razed overnight was located at Nellikatte in the heart of the city. The building was constructed by the British and Dr Karanth was imparting dance training here 83 years ago. The school development and monitoring committee (SDMC), in the light of the fragility of the structure which posed danger to the people, and failure of the people's representatives to get restoration work done to save the structure, had taken a decision and demolished the building on December 11 night. Many including the fans of Dr Karanth have expressed anguish at this development.
Block education officer (BEO), Lokesh has been asked to send a report on the incident by the DDPI. The block education officer has served notice to the SDMC and the headmaster, seeking a report on circumstances leading to the said demolition.
Many are of the opinion that the SDMC does not have the power to demolish heritage buildings and it should have provided information to the DDPI through the BEO. The DDPI should have deputed experts with instructions to file reports and then convince the state director of public instruction about the need to undertake necessary works.
Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, Dr K V Rajendra, said that a decision on steps to be initiated will be taken after getting report on why the demolition happened. Puttur assistant commissioner Dr Yatish Ullal said that his office as well as the offices of the education department here had no prior information about the demolition drive. He noted that this was a property of the government and felt that legal steps are possible for violation of rules.