Kolhapur: The members of the committee appointed to develop a museum at Rajarshi Shahu birth place will demand release of funds by the government to complete the work pending for eight years.The district administration has called a meeting of all the stakeholders related to the Rajarshi Shahu memorial on Wednesday to discuss the pending works. Last year, the government had promised that the museum will be completed before the birth anniversary of Shahu Maharaj , which took place on Monday. However, the government sanctioned only a part of the funds and the plan is stuck in tendering process.Amarja Nimbalkar, architect and a member of the committee, said, "We expect the government to release funds in time. We will make a presentation of the entire Rs 13-crore project in the meeting. If everything goes smoothly, we are sure that the memorial will be opened by the next birth anniversary of Shahu Maharaj."The government has completed the first phase civil works costing Rs 7 crore over a year and half ago. A couple of months ago the archaeology department had finalised the list of 61 items such as murals, silver design marks of Shivaji Maharaj's hand prints available at Sindhudurg fort, equipment used in 'sathmari' (elephant fight game) and replica of the royal seal of Shahu Maharaj. The Shahu birth place is a state protected memorial. The government plans to display the letters and rare photographs of Shahu Maharaj.Indrajeet Sawant, historian and member of the committee, said, "Only the civil work has been completed. The tender process is going on for the last few months and we are told that it will take one more month. The work of the museum will start only after the government approves the tender. The government must set a deadline for setting up the museum.BOXProject* 2012: Government sanctions Rs 10 crore for restoration and renovation of nine heritage sites in the Laxmi Vilas Palace area* Initial cost of the museum: Rs 5 crore* Earlier deadline for completing the work: March 31, 2013* FUnds sanctioned so far: Rs 7.5 crore

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