Deccan Herald                28.04.2013

Palike fails to use funds for repair of Russell Market

 

A sum of Rs one crore sanctioned for the development of Russell Market has not been claimed by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) till date.

The amount was sanctioned from Rajya Sabha member and former External Affairs minister S M Krishna’s MP’s Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund. He had decided to allocate funds on February 27, 2012, two days after the Russell Market fire tragedy, following a visit to the market. 

In response to information sought under the Right to Information Act, the BBMP on April 20 stated that Rs One crore has been sanctioned under the MPLAD fund. The information was obtained by Revolutionising India through Social Empowerment (RISE) President Naga Sravan Kilaru to check the status of the fund.

Traders’ money

However, even after a year, the fund has not been claimed by BBMP. Following the fund’s non-utilisation, around 2,000 traders had to pool in their own money along with funds from the local MLA and volunteers to restore the building.

Russell Market Traders’ Association, General Secretary, Mohammad Idrees Chaudhary said: “After the fire tragedy, we had approached BBMP Special Commissioner, Special Commissioner (Project, Resource and Finance) Niranjan K R for financial support, but he said that there was shortage of funds. The BBMP could have claimed the amount and helped us. But it did not.”
   
A sum of Rs 1.75 crore was raised by Russell Market vendors to restore the market to its original status. “The fire had razed pillars, shutters, and walls of the building, besides 187  shops. We met S M Krishna three months ago at his Sadashivnagar residence and told him about the status of the fund. He was disappointed,” Choudhary added.

When BBMP Chief Engineer,  Market Cell, M C Prakash was contacted, he said he was not aware as to why the BBMP has not claimed the amount. “The traders have already restored the building, so it would be of no use if we claim it now,” he added.

The members of Russell Market Traders’ Association, however, are planning to write a letter to BBMP to claim the amount.