Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Stability problems surfaced as early as 2017, according to Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude, amid claims of huge irregularities, corruption, and poor work at Kala Academy.
In response to calls for Art & Culture, Gaude asserted that even the Charles Correa Foundation was unable to offer a solution at the time and stated that scientific corrections ought to have been made in the 1990s. The opposition demanded an audit, causing a momentary rift in the House over the minister’s inadequate response.
The opposition lawmakers, led by GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, expressed concerns regarding dubious work being done at the famous building.
“The controversy surrounding the Kala Academy has damaged the prestige of the Art and Culture Department. The appalling conditions at the Kala Academy worry me, especially the absence of sufficient space for artists. It needs to go through a thorough audit, Sardesai insisted.
Given that Kala Academy was constructed atop sand dunes, Gaude referred to it as a “Monument of Excellence.” The Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium is located only 2.5 meters from the high tide line, making it a low-lying edifice. He claimed that although scientific corrections ought to have been made in 1990, even the Charles Correa Foundation was unable to offer answers.
The Opposition’s comparison of the structure to dancing bars was met with criticism from the minister, who was in favour of reinforcing the structure. “Do not relate this structure to a dance club or bedroom; instead, think of it as your mother. It is an outstanding monument,” he declared.
Gaude also refuted claims of poor quality work, blaming the recent problems with waterlogging on “certain media outlets with vested interests spreading misleading information.”
Rain supposedly damaged the auditorium and other elements of the building, but Gaude rejected that theory.
When transferring Kala Academy to the PWD, the minister made it clear that the department had given a detailed list of all required work, guaranteeing that every task was being watched over and that none would go unfinished.
