Divisional commissionerate building is up for grabs

MYSORE: The abolition of post of Mysore divisional commissioner has posed another challenge. The over 100-year-old building that housed the divisional commissionerate is being sought after by several departments.
Reason: it is located in the heart of the city. In a bid to pre-empt other contenders, A.S. Guruswamy, MLA, on Friday met deputy commissioner Kumar Naik and handed over a memorandum demanding the shifting of taluk office to the building.
His followers even put up a board on Friday announcing it was the taluk office. The board, however, was removed on Saturday. According to sources, the administration is worried as departments were seeking DC’s favour to occupy the building as it is under his custody. Besides, there is a demand from Mysore sub-division assistant commissionerate, which is now the DC’s office.
Also, there are fears that the artistic building will suffer damage if permission is accorded to the taluk office. The building was sought by students of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) when they were on an indefinite strike demanding shifting of campus from Aloka in Ilwala, 16 km from here, to the city two months ago. The Mysore Grahakara Parishat has also sought the building to house the sub-registrar’s office as the existing building is not suitable for public.
However, Kumar Naik told The Sunday Times there is a demand from various departments to shift their premises. “It is the government which must take the decision (on allotment,’’ he noted. The DC also said almost all personnel at divisional commissionerate had been relocated to other departments. But the record room is being maintained by the district administration, he added. Even as many departments are eyeing the prime building, the ball is now in government’s court.