Southern States - Karnataka   

Favouritism in sanctioning grants?

By K. N. Venkatasubba Rao

BANGALORE July 4. Amidst apprehensions of having violated the norms in sanctioning financial assistance to a section of institutions, the Directorate of Kannada and Culture has displayed a list of beneficiaries who availed help from it in May and June 2003. This is in tune with the Government's policy of ensuring transparency in administration and is done on written instructions from the Minister concerned. It is also seen as an effort to end the boom of "letterhead institutions" seeking monetary help from the directorate.

According to the list, the Directorate sanctioned Rs. 6.40 lakh to 15 institutions in the first leg of the financial year 2003-04. But how many of the 17 institutions, which received the funds, ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. two lakh, and over 337 institutions (persons) in 2002-03 (total amount exceeds Rs. one crore) were eligible for the grant remains a big question.

In the wake of the reported remarks made by the Minister of State for Kannada and Culture, Rani Satish, the authorities were expected to give details of under what head the funds were sanctioned and disbursed, why a majority of the beneficiaries were from a particular community, and what was the yard stick applied in "deciding the uneven grants".

Following complaints of "irregularities and favouritism in sanctioning grants", the Minister reportedly asked the then Director of Kannada and Culture, C. Somashekhar, to display the list of beneficiaries in 2002-03 before the commencement of the new financial year. But Mr. Somashekhar allegedly told her that her name would be tainted if the list were to be displayed. She reportedly told him that she had neither recommended any case nor had she put pressure on him to favour anyone, and therefore she would face any consequence.

After waiting for some days she sent written instructions to the effect. But the then Director reportedly asked his subordinates not to display the list. "However, the list displayed today reveals violation of norms at several levels," sources close to the Minister told The Hindu.

The list includes president, Saptaswara Charitable Educational Trust, Bangalore, for paying tribute to the late Nagendra on his second death anniversary (Rs. 20,000); Director Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore, for holding 22 tala-vadya concert and a national level programme (Rs. Two lakhs); the Secretary, Swastik Music Association, Bangarapet, for purchasing musical instruments (Rs. 15,000); president, Mysore Division Level Dombidasara Samavesha, for Dombidasa's cultural convention (Rs. 20,000); president, Sugama Sangeeta Parishath, Bangalore, for its first sangeeta sammelana (Rs. one lakh); president, Hombale Pratibha Ranga, Bangalore, for its talent festival (Rs. 30,000); president, Karnataka Samskritika Kriya Vedike, Mangalore, for zilla cultural festival (Rs. 25,000); the President, Zilla Girijana Development, Kanakapura, for tribal cultural festival (Rs. 25,000); Secretary, K.S.Muddappa Memorial Trust, Bangalore, for residential camp for children (Rs. 25,000); Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture, Bagalkot, for purchasing musical instruments for Mauneshwara Janapada Shivabhajana Kalasangha, Jamakhandi (Rs. 30,000); President, Akhila Karnataka Nagarta Mahila Sangha, Bangalore, for women's cultural festival (Rs. 25,000); Executive President, Sri Malayarajednra Sangeetotsava Samiti, Muranala, Bagalkot District, for holding music concert (Rs. 50,000); President, T.V.B.Kabadi (Kalasri), Bangalore, for music programme (Rs. 20,000); President, Sankalpa Seva Samsthe, Yellapura, for Sankalpa Utsava (Rs. 25,000); President, Malnad Sports and Cultural Recreation Club, Dasarahalli, Bangalore, for cultural programme (Rs. 20,000); Secretary, Sri Navachetana Kalasangha, Bangalore, for Kannada cultural and art festival (Rs. 30,000); and Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture, Tumkur, for purchasing Yakshgana costumes and make-up material for A.N.Channabasavayya, an artist from Tiptur taluk (Rs. 10,000).

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