MYSURU: With the state government taking a decision to keep Dasara festivities simple in view of the drought and farmer suicides, the number of sub-committees to finalise programmes has been reduced from 20 to 8 this year along with a drastic reduction in the budget—from Rs 12 crores last year to Rs four crores this year.
Preparations for Dasara gained momentum with the formation of eight official sub-committees on Saturday. They were constituted during the second meeting of Dasara executive committee chaired by district in-charge minister Mr V. Srinivasa Prasad here on Saturday.
They include an invitation and welcome committee to invite guests, cultural sub-committee to conduct cultural programmes infront of the palace, sports sub-committee to hold taluk level and Mysuru district level sports and wrestling, arts and crafts panel to hold ‘Chithra Santhe,’ and publicity to take up promotional activities. Also, sub-committees for illumination to take care of illumination of Rajpath, the ‘Jumbo Savari’ procession route, Raitha Dasara sub-committee to hold seminars by progressive farmers on integrated farming, and instill confidence among farmers and exhibit the latest farm technologies, and the final one being the procession committee.
And the number of tableaux for Dasara procession has been restricted to 20 and they will be launched by departments concerned in Mysuru.
Speaking to the media, Mr Srinivasa Prasad said: “We are directing our officials to spend less than Rs 4 crores for Dasara celebrations. Though the celebrations will be simple we will ensure that traditions are intact respecting the feelings and sentiments of the people of the region.”
