Umashree to inaugurate AKKA meet

Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree will inaugurate the eighth Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA) conference at San Jose in California on behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The three-day conference will be held from August 29.

The organisers had invited Siddaramaiah to inaugurate the event. However, Siddaramaiah had expressed his inability to attend the meet and has deputed Umashree, sources in the CM’s secretariat said.

Apart from Umashree, the State government will bear the expenses of 27 Dalit artistes for their trip to the cultural event. 

As many as 15 Congress legislators are planning to fly to San Jose on their own expenses.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said he will also attend the event at his own expense, while Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, who was in Bijapur said he will take a decision after reaching Bangalore on Saturday.