Balwant Garg, Tribune News Service
Faridkot, November 28. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), a non-government organisation (NGO), has complained to the Building Construction Committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the state government for the alleged breach of contract and non-payment for the work done by it.
The INTACH has stopped the renovation work of the historical District Court Complex in Faridkot for the non-payment of over Rs 1.60 crore bills by the PWD (B&R).
To renovate this historical building, the INTACH and the Punjab Government had entered into a contract in August 2010. This project worth Rs 11.72 crore was allotted to the INTACH after its meeting with the Building Construction Committee and PWD (B&R) on August 24, 2010.
As per the agreement, the state government had to make progress payment to the INTACH.
The NGO started the renovation work of the District Courts Complex about 18 months ago. The cash-strapped PWD (B&R) has not paid anything to the INTACH for the past nine months. “The last payment was made in February 2012.
The INTACH’s outstanding dues towards the Punjab Government are over Rs 1.60 crore,” said a senior functionary of the NGO.
“We had requested the state government several times and even wrote to the chairman of Building Committee on October 24. But no funds were released. Now, we have stopped the work,” he said.
Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, said funds would be released within a week. “We are hopeful that the INTACH will soon resume the work,” he said.
Sources said after the INTACH brought the matter to the notice of the High Court, the latter questioned the state government for the delay in releasing funds. Subsequently, the government assured the court that funds would be released soon.
The Building
* The Faridkot District Court Complex building is over a century old
* Elegantly designed in European style, its beauty lies in its magnificent architecture
* Its floors, ceilings, walls and arched openings have been constructed with artistic precision
About INTACH
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), is a Delhi-based NGO. It was founded by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. The INTACH works to sensitise the people about India’s pluralistic cultural legacy and protect and conserve the country’s heritage.
