The Maharashtra government has finalised the purchase of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s house in London for around Rs. 40 crore. It will be later converted into a memorial.
State’s Social Justice Minister Rajkumar Badole had visited London last week to hold discussions with the Indian High Commission officials and solicitor firms.
“We have appointed two companies to conduct the valuation process of the house in London and the entire process is likely to be completed by the end of May. The total value will be around Rs. 40 crore and will be paid by the State government,” said Mr. Badole.
The cost of maintenance of the house which will be converted in to a memorial after the purchase will be around Rs. 60 lakh per year.
The State government has appointed a surveyor company named Walterwin, while the Indian High Commission too has appointed another firm. The reports from these two corporations are likely to submit by the end of May.
Chair at LSEMr. Badole said that the London School of Economics (LSE) where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had studied has also positively replied to the proposal to institute a chair in the LSE.
The State government had despatched the Letter of Intent to the the Indian High Commission in the UK, formally setting in motion the process to purchase the house. State's Cultural Affairs minister Vinod Tawde, who was in London two months ago had handed over the letter.
Dr. Ambedkar had stayed in a house at 10, Kings Henry road while he was studying at LSE.
