Despite sculptor taking loans to complete 13-foot bronze idol of late Dr Rajkumar in allotted time in 2007, BBMP has not taken its delivery
Despite sculptor taking loans to complete 13-foot bronze idol of late Dr Rajkumar in allotted time in 2007, BBMP has not taken its delivery
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A city-based sculptor is paying a huge price, literally and otherwise, for being oblivious to the general laidback attitude of government bodies.
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| Superstar staying on rent: Nagaraj is also paying a monthly rent for keeping the statue at someone else's workshop. Pic/Sanjay Md |
C J Nagaraj (31), had bagged the BBMP contract for sculpting a 13-foot bronze idol in honour of the late superstar Dr Rajkumar in February, 2007. But now, he'su00a0 stuck in a debt trap because the BBMP has not taken the delivery of the idol or paid him the pending amount for three years The estimated cost for making the statue was Rs 13 lakh and the BBMP had paid Nagaraj Rs 8 lakh as advance.
Since he was supposed to complete the order within three months of signing the contract, he took loans from his friends and finished the work on time.
Legal wrangle
However, the civic body didn't take delivery of the statue because a legal battle ensued following an objection from a civic group over the place where the statue was to be installed.
The BBMP had planned to erect the statue at a spot between Ravindra Kalkshetra and Town Hall, off J C Road. However, Putte Gowda, president, Lawyers' Association, filed a petition in the High Court stating that the idol would mask the statue of Kittur Chennamma. Taking cognisance of the petitioner's view, the court asked the BBMP to look for an alternative place for Dr Rajkumar's statue.
"The civic body could have identified the place immediately after the court verdict. The municipality has taken more than three years, which is proving costly for me as I have to pay a monthly interest on the loan I had taken," said Nagaraj.
His financial woes don't end there, however, as he also has to pay a rent for keeping the statue in a welding shop near Magadi Road because of a space crunch in his workshop.
BBMP's take
Chandrashekar, executive engineer, BBMP, who is also the in-charge of the case, said, "We have identified an alternative spot for the statue near Town Hall. However, the government hasn't cleared the proposal. We haven't received clearances from the concerned authorities despite sending them several reminders."
When asked when the BBMP would clear Nagaraj's dues, Chandrashekar said, "He will get his payment only after we take the delivery of the statue. The agreement between the civic body and Nagaraj states that we cannot take the delivery until we get clearance from the government."
| Fanning Hope |
| >>Mayor S K Nataraj is an ardent fan of Dr Rajkumar and had entered politics as the president of a local fan club from Sarakki. >>"I'm still the president of Rajkumar's fan club. >>But when it comes to government procedures, I am helpless. >>I have put a request before the government to clear the proposal and I hope it will happen soon." |
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