Mysuru: The 83rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Executive Committee has decided to constitute Accounts and Estimate Committee on the lines of Mysuru Dasara. Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep said that the intention of the Committee is to maintain transparency in account.

The DC was chairing a meeting of the Executive Committee at his office yesterday. On the duplication of the Sammelana ‘Kannada Theru’ (chariot) that was earlier used for a private ceremony, Randeep said that if the ‘Theru’ makers have used the same structure that was used earlier, money will not be sanctioned.

Reports said that the ‘Theru’ that is meant to publicise the Kannada Sammelana was used at a private ceremony of a Mutt recently and only minor changes were made to remodel it for the Sammelana purpose. The DC further said that the Publicity Committee and the makers of the ‘Theru’ will be asked to give an explanation if they have duplicated the vehicle and funds will be withheld if they are guilty of duplication.

Randeep said that State Government has released Rs. 8 crore for the Sammelana and donations and sponsorships from private people is yet to be received. Before releasing funds to the Committees concerned, the Accounts and Estimate Committee will go through the planned expenditure and based on its recommendation, money will be sanctioned.

The Accounts and Estimate Committee would be headed by PWD Superintending Engineer Sathyanarayana with Convenor, MCC Superintending Engineer Suresh Babu, Executive Engineer, Special Division, PWD, Manjunath, Executive Engineer, MUDA, R.K. Raju, Executive Engineer, District Urban  Development Cell Shivaprakash and Executive Engineer, Power Sub-Division, PWD, Rajesh as members.

He added: “People may approach private firms for sponsorships only with my letter and if they so desire, they may contribute. But it is not compulsory. Action will be taken against those found approaching private firms without my letter. For financial assistance from private firms, the Joint Director of Industry has been entrusted the responsibility. The district administration is coordinating the event, and finance will be  routed through us.”

City illumination

The DC also directed the CESC to make arrangements for illuminating the city. CESC authorities informed that the city will be illuminated for five days from Nov. 22 to 26. Railway Station, JLB Road, Ramaswamy Circle, Maharaja’s College Ground Road, Chamaraja Double Road, Hardinge Circle, will be illuminated. The DC also said that hotel owners will be given permission to illuminate the streets near their hotels.

Yoga chain link

A yoga chain link depicting the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be formed at Mysore Palace on Nov. 20. The Committee has decided to add grandeur to the event wherein 2,000 students from government and private schools wearing yellow-and-red coloured caps will form the chain. This moment will be captured using cameras mounted on drones.

Cut-outs of poet laureates of Karnataka, Jnanpith awardees, President of the Sammelana will be placed on the procession route. This has been outsourced to a private institution. A balloon will fly high above the Maharaja’s Grounds where the main stage will be located, the DC  said.

Over 5,000 college students dressed up in traditional costumes will be part of the procession. Also, 2,500 volunteers will be deployed.

Food counters

The DC said that with lakhs of people expected to take part in the literary event, arrangements will be made to provide food at different venues. He that food will be served at three different venues — Scouts and Guides Grounds, Oval Grounds and at Ursu Boarding School.

Temporary hospitals

Randeep directed DHO Dr. B. Basavaraju to set up a temporary hospital with five beds at Maharaja’s College Grounds. He directed to depute three doctors, a surgeon, one physiotherapist, two staff nurses and paramedics. The DC also directed to station two ambulances at the venue to attend to emergencies and stock necessary medicines.

Welcome with jasmine

Women participants attending the Sammelana will be welcomed with jasmine flowers (Mysuru Mallige) by the members of Women Sub-Committee. Committee President and Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairperson Mallige Veeresh said that women, who will take part in the procession, will wear sarees with a yellow and red combination and hold a Kannada flag. As many as 1,000 women will participate in the 4.5 km procession. In addition, the authorities have also decided to design a tableau highlighting messages on women empowerment. The Executive Committee has also agreed to a separate seating arrangement, rest-room facility, and food counter and parking facility for women.