Poll code: Karnataka puts off Rajyotsava awards

The Rajyotsava award ceremony, Karnataka’s second highest civilian honour presented on November 1, was postponed in the wake of the model code of conduct that is in force, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said Wednesday.

The awards are presented on November 1 each year, which is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava (the state’s unification).

“The Rajyotsava award ceremony has been postponed due to the Lok Sabha and Assembly bye-elections. The award ceremony will be held after the code of conduct ends,” Kumaraswamy said in a tweet.

Bye-elections to three Lok Sabha seats - Bellary, Mandya and Shimoga - and two Assembly seats - Jamkhandi and Ramanagara - are scheduled to be held on November 3. The results will be out on November 6. The model code of conduct is in force in seven districts - Mandya, Shivamogga, Ramanagara, Ballari, Bagalkot, Mysuru and Udupi.

The Rajyotsava award, instituted way back in 1966, is second to the Karnataka Ratna. Recipients of the Rajyotsava award, are decided by a high-level committee based on their contribution in various areas that include arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs.

Last year, the government chose 62 persons for the award, including veteran singer K J Yesudas, writer Vaidehi, historian Ramachandra Guha, retired Karnataka High Court Justice H N Nagamohan Das among others. The Rajyotsava award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a 20 gram gold medal and a citation.