From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 26: The construction cost of the Suvarna Soudha secretariat building in Belgaum has gone up from Rs 232 crore to Rs 397 crore, an increase of Rs 165 crore in less than two years.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday reviewed construction work of the Suvarna Soudha and said next winter session of the State legislature would be held in Belgaum.

Public Works Minister C M Udasi, Housing Minister V Somanna, Legislative Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi and officials attended the meeting.

Bopaiah said the meeting reviewed the progress of the work of the Suvarna Soudha and estimated the construction cost at Rs. 397 crore. The building would be ready by coming October, he said.

A few days ago, Udasi refuted allegations of irregularity in the cost escalation in the construction of the Suvarna Soudha and defended the increased expenditure on the project from the originally estimated Rs 232 crore to Rs 397 crore due to increase in building area and other works.

It is stated the cost was escalated in the backdrop of constructed area going up from 12,617 sq meters to 16,138 sq meters, an increase of 3520 sq meters.

The revised cost was approved by former Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao in 2009 itself as there was a proposal to build a Central Hall in the complex on the model of Parliament.