Simple Dasara estimate is Rs 4-cr

8 sub-committees planned; tableaux by 20 govt depts for procession

The State government may have decided to celebrate Nada Habba Dasara festival in a simple and traditional manner in the wake of farmer issues, but the budget estimate says otherwise.

The Dasara Executive Committee, at the district-level, has decided to seek Rs 4 crore for the festivities starting on October 14 and culminating with Jamboo Savari on October 23.

Revenue and District in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad, who heads the committee, told reporters here on Saturday that it has been decided to propose for Rs 4 crore against Rs 14 crore in the previous years.

When media persons sought to know if the budget estimate was still high for a low-scale event, the minister clarified that efforts will be made to bring down the expenditure within the estimated cost.

As announced earlier, the events will be restricted to local level. It has been decided to form eight sub-committees with the officials heading them. As decided earlier, a progressive farmer will be invited to open the festivities atop the Chamundi Hill on October 14.

Besides, another progressive farmer will be felicitated during the opening of cultural programmes at the Palace the same evening. The chief minister will inaugurate the cultural programmes, Prasad said.

The cultural programmes will be held for eight days up to October 21, where artistes from different art forms — tribal, folk among others — will be invited to entertain the gathering.

To encourage ‘Nada Kusti’, traditional wrestling, bouts will be organised for a period of eight days. Tableaux, the highlight of Jamboo Savari, will continue to be a part of the gala event, but restricted to 20 departments.

Barring the Palace and Raja Marga, the five-km-long Jamboo Savari route from Palace to Bannimantap, no other government buildings and prominent junctions in the city will be illuminated.

Prasad said a report is sought from Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (Cesc) Limited on the quantity of energy that could be saved from capping illumination and divert it for irrigation pumpsets.

Expo for awareness
Raitha Dasara, at taluk level, will showcase agricultural scenario, with stress on relevant issues — especially farmer suicides.

It has been decided to organise exhibitions at taluk levels to create awareness among farmers about the measures to be taken during distress, crop pattern and judicious use of water. 

Instead of elected representatives, farmers will play the key role with progressive farmers delivering talks on their success to instil confidence among the farming community.