The State government will set up a Konkani study chair at Mangalore University, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Sunday and promised all the financial support needed in this regard.

He was responding to an appeal made by Dr P Dayanada Pai, president of the Bengaluru’s Konkani Samaj, at the award ceremony of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. Pai said at least Rs one crore was needed to set up an academic chair for research and development of Konkani  at the university. He said the Konkani community would mobilise up to Rs 50 lakh and requested the chief minister to contribute an equal sum.

Siddaramaiah said the financial assistance requested for the Konkani study chair would be provided in the next financial year. He appreciated the community’s efforts in preserving Konkani though there is no script for the language.