SHILLONG: The premises of state central library and museum, which draw a large number of tourists, are in ruins.
The signboard of Williamson Sangma Museum, which fell apart several months ago, is yet to be repaired by the government.
The visitors to the premises are welcomed by potholes, shabby buildings and unclean surroundings.
The graffiti made on the walls of the library building several years ago during the 18 Degree Festival, is yet to be erased for a fresh coat of paint.
An official admitted the irony that while the Arts and Culture department had spent crores of rupees for holding festivals in the past, there is no fund to repair the buildings and beautify the surroundings.
While the garbage dumped near the toilets is an eyesore, the broken paths leading to U Soso Tham auditorium have not been repaired for years.
Whenever there are programmes during winter, the occupants of the hall have no other option than to bear the biting cold as the hall is not air conditioned.
The official said with a meagre budget of Rs 7 crore, the department is not able to carry out maintenance as liabilities are double than the budget. He, however, said there is a plan to give facelift to the library, museum and the premises.
