The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has planned to set up a Pampa Research Centre to promote research on the literary works of Pampa, Ranna and other eminent Kannada writers.

KDA chairperson Mukhyamantri Chandru told mediapersons here on Monday that the Authority had submitted a proposal in this regard to the State government and Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda had promised to earmark grants in the upcoming budget for the centre proposed to be set up in one of the State universities.

The government has also planned to give a stipend of Rs 2,000 to students studying in Kannada departments in the universities outside the State. This year, Rs 10 lakh was given as stipend to 103 postgraduate students.

Govt decision opposed
On the government’s decision to merge schools with less students strength, Chandru said the KDA had opposed the move and had asked the chief minister to reconsider the decision.

He welcomed the government’s order to hoist the Kannada flag on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava Day on November 1.

A committee has been formed to edit the State anthem and reduce the time taken to render it.  The committee is expected to present the revised State anthem in a month’s time, Chandru said.

Competitive exams
A centre will be set up shortly in Dharwad for training students to write competitive examinations, Chandru said. All the district administrations will be directed to open such centres to conduct coaching classes and impart advanced training to candidates who have cleared the preliminary round, he added.

To promote linguistic harmony, the Kannada Development Authority will hold a convention of Tamils and Kannadigas in Chamarajnagar on April 5.

The convention will also help in improving relationship between the two states, he added.