Confusion over grants for Madikeri Dasara continues

The confusion over the release of grants for Madikeri Dasara Janotsava continues even after the inauguration of the Dasara celebrations.

Dasara sub committees, which have completed the preparations, are in jeopardy as the government is refusing to sanction more than Rs 50 lakh for the celebrations.

Amid the confusion, the cultural programmes of Dasara were inaugurated at Gandhi Maidan on Friday evening.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza has directed the Dasara Committee to organise Dasara within the grants sanctioned by the government.

He has even denied the proposal of the committee to mobilise grants through the district administration.

MLC Sunil Subramani, who had convened a meeting on Friday, called upon the committee members to organise Dasara in a grand manner and ensure that there is no hindrance to the celebrations.

The sub committees formed for cultural programmes, poets’ meet, sports and decorations are fearing a cut in the grants. “Had the government informed about the cut in grants in the beginning, we would not have faced the problems in the last minute,” members of some committees said.

A committee chairman said, “Rs 31 lakh is required for stage, decorations and sound systems. The remaining Rs 19 lakh needs to be distributed among all the sub committees.”

The CMC commissioner has been directed not to lay any restrictions on the installation of flexes in connection with the Dasara.