New building for Directorate of Collegiate ?

BANGALORE:  The file regarding construction of a new building on the vacant site on the premises of Directorate of Collegiate Building has been opened again and the Government is actively considering the proposal. This, officials say, will prevent any acrimonious shifting of education department officials from their prized location on Sheshadri Road even as it creates space for other departments clamouring for the same location.Confirming the move, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Latha Krishna Rao said that the Department is now pushing for the proposal but she said it is not a new proposal and that the foundation stone for a new building for Directorate of Collegiate Education was laid in 2007 itself. The then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had laid the foundation stone and had even earmarked `5 crore for the project, said education department officials. But, the plan was soon shelved. Now, following the request of the Karnataka High Court for more space and protest from several quarters on attempts to move the Directorate of Collegiate Education office away from the convenient location, the construction of a building on the couple of acres of land has been taken up with the Government.On the question of the century-old building that currently houses the DCE offices, Latha Krishna Rao said that no decision has been taken on, which department is going to occupy the building but said that the building will not be harmed in any manner.Education department officials however are not happy with the assurance for they say that once the new building is up they would be asked to move out of the heritage building. Further, they say that other Government departments too have asked for space in the new building.