Sirsi: Kadambotsava will be held at Banavaasi, in Sirsi taluk, on February 18 an d19. Kannada literature award ‘Pamapa Award’ will also be presented on the occasions.

This was decided at a preliminary meeting presided over by District In-charge Minister RV Deshpande in Sirsi on Friday.

Kadambotsava was not celebrated last year due to drought. In the programme planned this year, ‘Pampa Award’ for years 2015 and 2016 will be given away by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah. Minister for Kannada and Culture and Tourism will be invited for the programme, said Deshpande. Young talents must be given priority in cultural programmes. Fresh talents must be given opportunity.  Financially-able people must provide assistance to such festivals to make it grant, the minister observed.

MLA Shivaram Hebbar said Sirsi-Banavasi road construction work was progressing and if was not sprinkled on two sides of the road before the fest, people will have to bathe in dust. He said one-day fest should be held at Gudnapur where local artistes must be given chance.

He said the action plan of proposed Banavasi Development Authority must be prepared so that funds for it can be got into the budget.

Deputy Commissioner SS Nakul said district administration was ready to construct the stage but it is the responsibly of local people to ensure that the stage is not misused or damaged on days when it is not utilized. He said Kannada and Culture Department had released Rs 50 lakh and Tourism Department had released Rs 25 lakh for the fest.

Sirsi MLA Vishweshwar Hegde and other officials were present at the meeting.