Satish Gujral’s dream design mired in controversy

Satish Gujral, however, sees the whole controversy as a battle between two politicians being fought on a work of art. “It was a dream design built like a pyramid – yet unlike a pyramid the outer shell was to be made like a garden. Surrounded by lush landscaping on 22 acres, the park would be a credit to the country,” he says.

According to Government norms, private parties doing government jobs are allowed only two per cent commission. But in Gujral’s case, the government compromised and agreed to pay him five per cent of the total cost and 10 per cent on the cost of excessive landscaping.

The Comptroller and Auditor General has already raised objection to the “exorbitant” payment made to Gujral stating that only two per cent of the total cost of the project should have been paid.

Gujral, however, says that he was charging only as per the norms laid down by the Indian Council of Architects (ICA). “Any diversion would be considered a professional violation and the architect’s licence could be cancelled,” he adds.

While Rs 1.5 crore has already been paid by UP Government, Gujral is demanding more. He says he should be paid Rs two crore as the estimated cost of the park is nearly Rs 40 crore. While Gujral’s firm Design Plus put the cost at Rs 40 crore, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) estimate put it at Rs 30 crore. The LDA, which was looking after the construction of the park said that only two per cent of the estimated cost could be paid.

Gujral insisted that he should be paid as per ICA rates and Mayawati gave the go-ahead. The then Housing secretary wrote to LDA vice-chairman Jai Shanker Mishra on June 24, 1997 that he had obtained permission to give five per cent commission to Gujral. And Gujral signed an agreement with the LDA.

In the short period she was in power, Mayawati treated the park as her pet project. The then CM used to visit the site at least thrice a week. And as soon as she quit, the controversy erupted, creating ripples in Lucknow and Delhi.

Gujral is hurt by the allegations that he was paid higher because he is the brother of Prime Minister IK Gujral. “I am proud to be his brother but in no way do I owe my reputation as an architect to his political career,” he says. “The project was started in 1995 and visualised even before that. It is silly to say that a government agency will pay me merely because I am asking for it.”

Meanwhile, Gujral is designing a memorial to Ram Ghulam in Mauritius and a country palace for the family of King Faizal in Saudi Arabia. “Art and architecture are above politics. I would like to do more work in my country than outside,” says the architect.