PANAJI
Amidst allegations of massive irregularities, corruption and substandard work at Kala Academy, Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude stated that stability issues had emerged as early as 2017.
Responding to demands on Art & Culture, Gaude claimed that scientific corrections should have been made in the 1990s while alleging that even the Charles Correa Foundation could not provide a solution at that time.
The House experienced a brief commotion over the minister’s unsatisfactory response with the Opposition demanding an audit.
The Opposition legislators led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai voiced concerns about questionable work at the iconic structure.
"The reputation of the Art and Culture Department has been tarnished due to controversies surrounding the Kala Academy. I am concerned about the deplorable state of the Kala Academy, particularly the lack of adequate facilities for artists. It should undergo a comprehensive audit,” Sardesai demanded.
Gaude described Kala Academy as a “Monument of Excellence” explaining that it was built on sand dunes. “It is a low-lying structure and the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium is situated just 2.5 metres from the high tide line. Scientific corrections should have been made in 1990, but even the Charles Correa Foundation could not provide solutions,” he alleged.
The minister, supporting the re-strengthening of the structure, criticized the Opposition for comparing the structure to dance bars. "When you consider this structure as your mother, do not compare it with a dance bar and bedroom. It is a monument of excellence," he asserted.
Gaude also defended allegations of substandard work, attributing the recent water-logging issues to “certain media outlets with vested interests spreading misleading information.”
Gaude dismissed claims that the auditorium and other parts of the structure were compromised by rain.
Alemao, however, accused Gaude of deflecting blame onto the Public Works Department while pointing out technical issues such as sound problems, leakages, and outdated equipment. "The slabs collapsed. Art & Culture seems to be pointing fingers at the PWD. Equipment is outdated," Alemao said.
The minister clarified that the department had provided a comprehensive list of necessary works when handing over Kala Academy to the PWD, assuring that all tasks were being monitored and none would be left incomplete.
As Gaude concluded his reply with a poem, Alemao, still dissatisfied, demanded that the issue should not be seen as one of ego and sought specific answers to the problems highlighted.
"There are issues with lighting, sound, microphones, and leakages. There are problems and more problems," he said, calling for an IIT report and accountability.
GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai echoed these sentiments, demanding an audit of the works and claiming they were substandard. He also refuted the minister’s claim that architect Chirag Jain was involved in the consultancy of the Kala Academy.
“I just spoke to Jain and he denied his involvement in the consultancy. This is a Rs 70 crore scam…a monument of corruption,” he alleged.
Gaude later said that Jain was a consultant in 2004 and not in recent years.
