The apathy of Mysore City Corporation (MCC) officials in carrying out conservation work at the Lansdowne Building before it claimed four lives recently came to the fore with the Department of Kannada and Culture directing commissioner of Heritage to withdraw the funds sanctioned for the renovation work.
Taking serious exception to the official apathy, Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind M Karajol, under whom the Directorate of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage comes, directed officials to take back Rs 75 lakh that was released for the conservation of Lansdowne Building as the local body had failed to utilise it even after seven months.
In a letter of funds sanctioned to the MCC Commissioner written on January 24 Commissioner for Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, had asked the local body to take up the conservation works immediately. He had also indicated that they would not be releasing more money for the conservation works.
When an official brought these facts at the review meeting held in Bangalore on September 6, Karajol expressed his displeasure over the delay and ordered Ramakrishna, Commissioner for Heritage, to withdraw the fund.