BANGALORE: The Kannada Book Authority (KBA) has selected the Heggodu-based non-commercial publication, `Akshara Prakashana,' and `Ondu Nenapu' brought out by the Bangalore-based Nava Karnataka Publications for its annual best publication and the best book awards respectively.

The Bangalore-based Abhinava Prakashana's `Tibet' authored by Mangalore Vijaya and the Tiptur-based Ooru Keri Prakashana's `Kichhillada Bege' written by Shailaja Nagaraghatta have bagged second and third places respectively in the book awards.

The Davangere-based Prema Publications' `Haadu Nanna Haadu' by Jeenahalli Siddalingappa has been selected for the best children's literature award.

The best publication and best book awards come with a purse of Rs. 15,000 each, the second-place winner gets Rs. 10,000 and the third-best book and children's literature award-winners get Rs. 7,000 each.

Announcing the awards here on Monday, KBA chairman G.S. Siddaramaiah said two separate committees comprising eight members each had screened 113 entries for selecting the best publication and book award-winners.

In selecting the best publication the committee considered several aspects, including Akshara Prakashana's contribution to the Kannada cultural sphere and the range of its publications. The committee only looked at the aesthetics of the cover page, alignment of pages, technology employed for printing and binding and the quality of paper used for selecting books for the awards, he said.

Another 10-member committee headed by Mr. Siddaramaiah selected 24 young writers who are yet to publish their first work for the `incentive to young writers' scheme. The Government gives Rs. 6,000 as an incentive to the writer of each manuscript selected. The KBA has recommended that the Government increase the incentive to Rs.10, 000.

All the awards and incentives will be presented at a function in Dharwad in November.

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