The Hassan district administration has given in-principle approval for 48 works estimated at Rs 13.54 crore for the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava, even as district in-charge minister KM Shivalingegowda has questioned the proposed expenditure amid drought conditions across large parts of Karnataka.
The festival is scheduled to be held from October 29 to November 11. A major portion of the proposed allocation is for prasada. The plan sets aside Rs 1.5 crore each for the preparation, transportation and distribution of laddu and donne prasada.
The Hasanamba Temple administration had approached the district administration for permission to undertake the 48 works. Sources in the temple administration told The Times of India that the proposal has been approved in principle, but that a final decision is expected shortly. This means the reported estimate does not yet represent final expenditure authorisation.
The proposed spending came under scrutiny during a review meeting on Friday. Shivalingegowda questioned a proposed Rs 50 lakh tender for a single control room and the Rs 65 lakh provision for cultural programmes at four locations. He said he was not opposed to holding the programmes but asked officials to reduce the costs.
The disagreement places the festival arrangements against a wider administrative question: how district authorities should balance the demands of a major religious gathering with concerns over public spending during a drought. The material available does not specify the total number of visitors expected, the source of funds or the individual scope of all 48 works.
The plan currently includes spending on prasada-related activities, festival coordination and cultural events. The proposed control room tender indicates that crowd management and administrative coordination are among the arrangements being considered, although the supplied report does not provide details of its proposed size, facilities or operating period.
The district administration is expected to take a final decision on the temple administration’s request shortly. Until that decision is issued, the Rs 13.54 crore figure remains an in-principle estimate rather than a confirmed final allocation.
