The Times of India  25.08.2010

MYSORE: Two days after mismanagement at the destitutes' rehabilitation centre here came to light, officials of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) have decided to construct a new facility for inmates.

MUDA has invited tenders for construction of a new beggars' home at Jyothinagar with a nine-month deadline to complete the Rs 83.55-lakh project. The tender documents will be uploaded on its website in two days, and bids have to be filed by September 22.

Officials seem to be speeding up the process as the pre-tender meeting has been slated for September 15. Technical bids will be opened on September 24. However, the dates for open financial bids will be announced to eligible bidders at a later stage.

MUDA's assistant executive engineer, Panduranga, told TOI that the present centre is in a dilapidated state, hence the bids for a new structure. He said the new building will be L-shaped and will have two floors, with seven rooms each. The building will have a built-up area of 10,000 sq ft and will have a solar facility.

The construction will be funded from the beggary cess collected by MUDA. The official said this was the third time that the authority was inviting tenders for the purpose. Tenders were earlier called for a year ago, and again six months ago, but no bids were made, he said.

The in-charge secretary of the centre, Mayadevi Galagali, who is also the district officer for backward classes and minority cell, said at present the centre has eight dormitories. Of this, two are reserved for women and the rest for men, the mentally unstable and sick. The centre spreads over two -and-a-half acres.

Galagali took charge at the centre two months ago after the district social welfare officer, who is also the ex-officio secretary to the centre, was charged of mismanagement.