The government has decided to cancel the annual Hampi Utsav in the light of drought conditions prevailing in the State.
Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also in charge of Ballari district, said that 100 taluks across the State, including all the taluks in Ballari, are drought-hit, and it would be inappropriate to hold the Hampi Utsav at this point in time.
While it is true that artistes are pressurising the government to hold the event, the State government has to take into consideration the conditions prevailing in the State, he said. He added that Hampi Utsav would be held next year as usual.
Earlier dates
According to Mr. Shivakumar, the three-day extravaganza was initially scheduled to be held from November 3, but was subsequently postponed to the last week of November.
The festival is a much-anticipated one among lovers of art and music in Karnataka.
