BENGALURU: Though the construction of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka, was completed during 1956, there is no information on when was it inaugurated and who inaugurated the building.
Even the state government has no clue about when Vidhana Soudha was inaugurated. This is the official reply given by the Public Works Department (PWD).
During the recent legislature session, MLC V S Ugrappa had sought information on Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha. In a written reply PWD officials said, “There is no information with the government about the inauguration of Vidhana Soudha.”
There is information about when was the foundation stone laying ceremony was held, who took part in it, when the construction of Vidhana Soudha was completed, who was the Chief Minister at that time, but there is no information on its inauguration.
Ugrappa said, “It is the responsibility of the department concerned to maintain records of such historical events. I just asked the question out of curiosity as I wanted to know the date and details like who inaugurated it. But I was surprised with the answer they gave.”
“Vidhana Soudha is an important place where decisions about the state are taken. It is the responsibility of the department concerned to maintain records properly. When they have information on when the foundation stone was laid, how can they forget to maintain details of the inauguration event?” Ugrappa asked.
“It is a serious lapse on the part of the department concerned. After Parliament House in New Delhi, Vidhana Soudha is the best monument of the seat of governance in the country,” he added.