Mysuru: Pointing out that the State Government has sanctioned Rs. 8 crore to conduct the three-day 83rd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa said that any overheads would have to be borne by the organisers. Speaking at the Sammelana preparatory meeting at the Government Guest House here yesterday, Dr. Mahadevappa emphasised the need for all the participants of the 3-day meet to be treated well.

Pointing out that an ambulance and emergency health care services would be provided at all the three venues of the meet, the Minister stressed on the need for hygienic and systematic distribution of food and to maintain clean surroundings at the venues.

When Kannada activist M.N. Gopalakrishana raised the issue of singer Vijaya Prakash, who is from Mysuru, demanding Rs.13 lakh to perform at the Sammelana, the Minister said “We have the right to drop him if Vijaya Prakash’s demand is not within our budget. We will stay in our limits and we are not going to pay Rs. 13 lakh for an artiste.”

Continuing, the Minister said that delegates and participants from Mysuru would not be provided lodging facilities. The organisers should see if Convention Halls could be rented to provide accommodation to the participants, he added.

Exhorting all delegates and participants to take responsibilities of the Sammelana, Mahadevappa said: “We should ensure this event is a grand success and is spoken about in international circles. The Government will do everything in its capacity towards this end.”

The Minister further said that as many as 13 Sub-Committees would work in tandem to ensure the success of the Sammelana. The responsibility of ensuring that the Sammelana takes place without any hassles lies with the Sub-Committees, he added.

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama donated Rs.3 lakh to the Sammelana, by presenting a cheque to the District Administration.

DC D. Randeep, MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, ZAK Chairperson Mallige Veeresh, KSGH Music University VC Dr. Sarvamangala Shamkar, Littérateurs Dr. CPK, K.S. Bhagawan, C. Naganna, M. Chandrashekar and Kannada activists took part.