Three-year term of presidents of Karnataka Nataka Academy, Sahitya Academy, Sangeetha and Nruthya Academy, Janapada and Yakshagana Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Urdu Academy, Kodava Academy, Konkani Academy, Tulu Academy, Lalithakala Academy, Media Academy and Karnataka Book Authority will come to an end on March 22. They have been given an extension by nine days.

Secretary of Kannada and Culture Department I M Vittal Murthy said that the government decided to extend the tenure as a measure to complete half-done works. Kannada Book Authority has completed publication of several books which are yet to be released.

Similarly Karnataka Nataka Academy has announced the list of recipients of award for 2007. Programme for presentation of awards has been scheduled for March 27. Instead of holding such important functions in absence of heads of respective academies the government decided to continue the existing bodies till the end of the present financial year, he said.

Vittal Murthy said: “Fresh appointments will be made after the elected body comes to power. Anyhow academies cannot take up any programme in April-May.”