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Wodeyar happy over Mysore palace verdict

Mysore royal family scion and former Lok Sabha member Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wodeyar has expressed happiness over his family winning the long-drawn-out legal battle with the Karnataka government for possession of the Mysore palace.

Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict -- dismissing the special leave petition filed by the state government challenging the Karnataka high court order handing over possession of the Mysore palace to him -- Wodeyar said he was a much relieved man.

He said the past glory of the palace would be maintained and the famous structure would be made more attractive.

He said no shopping complex would be constructed at the palace premises or at any other place within the palace.

Meanwhile, the state government's department of archaeology and museums is apprehensive about the maintenance and security of the palace.

The palace houses five departments of the state government like the Karnataka Electricity Board and the public works department. In all, 145 people are working in these departments, besides a 60-member security staff.

The average annual income of the palace is around Rs 20 million. There are 16 temples inside the palace premises and the maintenance of the staff would cost Rs 7 to 8 million per year and a similar amount for the maintenance of the palace. About 5,000 people visit the palace every day, the sources added.

UNI

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