'District's contribution to literature is immense'

District In-charge Minister K J George said the district’s contributions to Kannada literature is immense.

Speaking at Kannada Rajyotsava programme here, he said, "Kuvempu who helped Kannada win its first Jnanpith award hails from this district and was born at Hirekodige. It is a matter of pride that poet Lakshmeesha who wrote 'Jaimini Bharatha’, author Dr A R Krishnashastry best known for his literary work, 'Vachana Bharatha’, writer Poornachandra Tejaswi and others all hail from Chickkamagaluru district. "

George said horticultural crops cultivated on 12,842 hectares of land have been destroyed due to rains. To provide compensation to the farmers, a proposal for Rs 23.91 crore has been submitted to the centre. Due to drought, crops on 34,670 hectares have been destroyed. Under drought relief assistance, a proposal has been submitted seeking an assistance of Rs 23.57 crore. Kayaka scheme is being implemented in order to help unemployed women become self-employed, he said.

George said, "Under the scheme, a woman applicant is eligible to receive a loan up to Rs 10 lakh. The first component of Rs 5 lakh will be an interest-free loan and the remaining loan amount of Rs 5 lakh will attract an interest of four per cent."

Under Mathruvandana scheme, pregnant women will receive an assistance of Rs 5,000 in three instalments. So far, 5,090 women had received this assistance. Under Grama Vikasa scheme, 27 villages had been identified. An amount of Rs 9.23 cr out of the total 27 crore had been released, he said.

SSLC and second PUC students, who have scored high marks in the Kannada language, were felicitated. Students of Sai Angels and St Joseph's College presented cultural programmes. Awards were also given to DACG Polytechnic, Guides from Jnanarashmi School, Scouts from St Mary’s school, Sevadal from SSRD High School and Home Guards unit of Kuvempu Vidyaniketana School.