Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The state Cabinet decided on Thursday to honour Booker prize-winning Banu Mushtaq by offering her a ‘G’ category site in Bengaluru.
Banu’s Kannada work ‘Edeya Hanate’ which was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, won the Booker Prize 2025. The Cabinet adopted a resolution to congratulate both Banu and Deepa.
Speaking to reporters during the customary post-Cabinet briefing, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said: “If she (Banu Mushtaq) wishes, we will provide a ‘G’ category site in Bengaluru as per our rules. We also congratulate the translator.”
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said: “This award has boosted the prestige of Kannada, Karnataka and the entire country. Our Cabinet congratulates Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi.”
Meanwhile, speaking about the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs during the Budget session of the Legislature in March, the Law minister said: “We have discussed about this issue. The Cabinet has authorised the chief minister to discuss with the Speaker and decide on the issue. On May 25, a meeting has been scheduled - which will include the chief minister, Speaker, Law minister and Leader of the Opposition.
The Cabinet decided to “close” the issue and not sanction prosecution in a case from 2011 where the then Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairperson and eight members were said to be involved in the reported irregularities in the selection process of gazetted probationers.
Patil articulated that the Cabinet had decided to drop the case since all the concerned individuals were now retired and not in service. He also pointed out that a similar Cabinet decision had been taken by the previous BJP government in 2021.