Belagavi: After protests over the cancellation of the Hampi Utsav, the state government has decided to conduct the popular cultural festive on January 12 and 13.
During a session in the Legislative Council on Friday, Kannada and culture minister Jayamala informed that the Ballari Deputy Commissioner had submitted a request for Rs 8 crore to the government for the purpose of conducting the Utsav.
“The district administration has decided to conduct the Utsav despite severe drought in the Ballari district, based on the demands of the people,” she said.
She also added that the department action plan for 2018-19 had initially reserved Rs 60 lakhs, but that they had to ask the finance department for additional funds to meet the Ballari DC’s request.
Listing out the events, minister Jayamala said that painting exhibition, photography exhibition, heritage walk, bicycle jatha, Hampi by sky, bike rally, farmers’ seminar, indigenous sports, kids zone, horse jumping, sound and light show and cultural programmes have been drawn up.
It can be recalled that Ballari district in-charge minister D K Shivakumar had cancelled the widely popular Hampi Utsav owing to the severe drought in the region. This decision was met with widespread criticism and protests.
