CAG slams the Government for the delay in the proposed Sanskriti Bhavan project at Berhampur

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India took potshots at Odisha government for failing to execute two projects, announced by the tourism and culture department almost seven years ago. Though the proposed Kalamandal project, involving establishment of a multi-purpose cultural complex in Bhubaneswar was mooted in 2005, it is still stuck in limbo. Likewise, the proposed Biju Patnaik Sanskriti Bhavan project at Berhampur, announced in 2005, remains a nonstarter till date. According to the CAG audit report, placed in the Assembly last week, the construction of building for Biju Patnaik Sanskriti Bhavan at Berhampur is yet to start even seven years after laying the foundation stone by chief minister. The culture department in January 2004 decided to set up the Bahvan on 1.253 acre land. During a survey in December 2008, it was found that the site was situated in a low-lying area filled with garbage and sewage water, due to which the soil strata had disintegrated. "It is the initial failure of the director, culture to inspect and survey the site properly leading to the blockage of Rs 1.35 crore," the report said.

Source: Times of India