Srinagar, June 2: Taking cognizance of the GK report about the closure of Tagore Hall for the last two years and its adverse affects on the theatre and other cultural activities in the Valley, the Government has assured a financial assistance of Rs 3 crore for its extensive repairs in the current year, asking the executing agency to expedite the work.
 Sources revealed that soon after the publication of report, CM’s Principal Secretary, BB Vyas who is also in charge principal secretary, Planning department, convened a meeting of officials including Jammu Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Managing Director and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages secretary and discussed the issue threadbare.
 Vyas assured of providing Rs 3 core for the ongoing works, sources said, adding the file was now lying with the Chief Minister’s office, who is also the president of Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
 Sources revealed that JKPCC Managing Director also assured the meeting that the repair work would be expedited and the building would be constructed at an earliest. 
 Officials in JKPCC confirmed to Greater Kashmir that the Government had assured to give money for the extensive repairs. “We had submitted the proposal with an estimated cost of Rs 5.4 crore for the extensive renovation of the Hall which includes leveling, plugging the leaking and seeping drainage, acoustics, seating and other allied works,” the officials said adding the rebuilding work would be now taken on priority and the pristine glory of the structure would be restored.
 Greater Kashmir had reported that the theatre and other cultural activities had come to a grinding halt for the last two years following the Hall closure.
 The Government initiated renovation work on 800 seated Tagore Hall in 2009 through Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation, but only 50 per cent of the work had been completed till date, leaving the artist community in lurch. 

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