IS IT CURTAINS?: A file photo of artistes performing at the inaugural function of Janapada Jatre in Bangalore. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to "suspend" its successful Janapada Jatre programme launched as part of the Suvarna Karnataka celebrations with the slogan "Back to the village."

The celebration of over 70 folk art forms was launched on October 14, 2006 on the graceful steps leading to the Vidhana Soudha.

The Government incurred an enormous expenditure on this ambitious programme. A sum of Rs. 4.52 crore was spent on publicity and preparations alone out of the sanctioned expenditure of Rs. 5.07 crore.

Besides, Rs. 2.58 crore was spent on payments to performing groups.

The jatre was in such high demand that four shows were held on April 14, 15, 28 and 29 this year even though no funds were earmarked in the State Budget for it. An expenditure of over Rs. 9 lakh was incurred in anticipation of the Government's approval.

Minister for Kannada and Culture H.S. Mahadeva Prasad told The Hindu that the Government was constrained to suspend the jatre because holding the event in all districts on a permanent basis would demand a policy decision, including the allocation of funds. In the light of its success and public demand, the Government was keen on streamlining the ambitious programme. Besides, the coming rainy season would not be a good time to hold events because people in rural areas would be busy with agricultural activities, he said.

Sources said public complaints about jatra administration, official concern over the expenditure hitherto incurred, the absence of accountability and non-allocation of funds this financial year by the Government are said to have spurred the Government's decision.

The Government was to hold the jatre from October 2006 to November 2007 every second Saturday and Sunday in front of the Vidhana Soudha, and every fourth Saturday and Sunday at Lal Bagh. In the district headquarters, it was to be held on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month on a permanent basis.

The idea behind the jatre was the revitalisation of folk forms of the State that number almost 180.

Its other purpose was to provide economic support to the performing artistes belonging to backward classes, particularly Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

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