Nashik: The general body of the city municipal corporation on Saturday approved a proposal to outsource maintenance of the Kalidas Kala Mandir to private firms.A firm will be hired for two years for maintenance works at a total cost of Rs 66.88 lakh, including 12% GST amounting to Rs 7.16 lakh.On the list of maintenance works are the facility's air-conditioning system, its sound system and stage lighting.The NMC had recently renovated the facility's auditorium at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. The renovation was part of the Smart City project. But maintenance was lacking.For example, the light and the sound systems of the auditorium go off during programmes. Nearly a year ago, Marathi actor Prashant Damle, took to social media to highlight the auditorium's failing light and sound systems.The NMC's move to privatise these facilities has been seen as a move to ensure expert operations and maintainance.The civic body has made a provision of Rs 1.06 crore in the budget for the financial year 2018-19. The maintenance cost for air-conditioning system an estimated Rs 26 lakh, while Rs 20 lakh each has been set aside for the sound and stage lighting systems.“We will immediately float a tender to keep up maintenance of the auditorium. A private contractor will be appointed for a period of two years. There is no issue surrounding funds as the provision has already been made in the budget for the current financial year,” said an NMC official.

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