The 79th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which is scheduled to be held in Bijapur on February 8, 9 and 10 , will be a low-key affair in view of the prevailing drought in the State.
Addressing the media here on Saturday, Kannda Sahitya Parishat president Pundarika Halambi said the budget for the annual literary fest has been estimated at Rs 3.25 crore. He said the government has already released Rs one crore and a proposal for the release of the balance of Rs two crore has been submitted.
Aside from this, government employees of North Karnataka region may pledge one day of their salary for the event. The Sammelana will be held on the 286-acre campus of Sainik School in Bijapur.
As many as 23 committees have been formed including the reception committee which will be headed by Kannada and Culture minister Govind M Karjol. As many as 300 to 400 book stalls will be put up, while 79 new books will be released during the occasion.
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