LAHORE: A Rs 50 million project to renovate Lahore Museum and remove the galleries’ false ceilings is in limbo because of differences between the Punjab Finance Department and the museum management.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi had announced Rs 50 million for the museum’s renovation at the inauguration of Tollinton Market. The chief minister was pleased with the restoration of the gallery to its original 18th century style without a false ceiling.

Lahore Museum’s walls had cracked because of the October 8 earthquake and restoration began with the Gandhara Art Gallery. The museum management repaired the cracks and removed the false ceiling, after which the gallery became brighter because of more sunlight.

Sources said the provincial Finance Department objected to the summary presented by the museum management and asked them to prepare a proper scheme for the project.

Talking to Daily Times, Lahore Museum Administrative Officer Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq Bajwa called the Finance Department’s objection unfair and said the chief minister had already approved the summary. “They often release funds unnecessarily, but are creating obstacles where funds are really required.”

Museum Deputy Director Humera Alam told Daily Times that there were 20 galleries in the museum out of which five had false ceilings. She said she did not know when the false ceilings were put on the original ones but it was before she joined the museum in 1978, when false ceilings were in fashion. She said the false ceilings were cracked because of the earthquake and were dangerous in many ways and could easily catch fire. Humera said the removal of the false ceilings would allow sunlight to enter the galleries, but ultra violet sheets would be placed on the ceilings to protect the objects in the museum.

A former Lahore Museum employee, asking not to be named, alleged the museum administration of irregularities in renovation contracts, which he said were being given to a single person.