The Hassan district administration has in-principle approved 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 preparation, transportation and distribution. The plan provides Rs 1.5 crore each for the preparation, transportation and distribution of laddu and donne prasada.
The Hasanamba Temple administration had sought permission from the district administration to undertake the 48 works. The proposal has received in-principle approval, but a final decision is expected shortly, sources in the temple administration told The Times of India.
The proposed expenditure came under scrutiny during a review meeting on Friday, when Shivalingegowda questioned the cost of individual components. He specifically raised concerns about a proposed Rs 50 lakh tender for a single control room and Rs 65 lakh earmarked for cultural programmes at four locations.
Shivalingegowda said he was not opposed to holding the programmes but wanted officials to reduce the costs. His objections place the proposed festival expenditure within a wider administrative question over how public funds should be prioritised while drought conditions continue to affect large parts of the state.
The approval covers 48 works, but the available information does not specify the full list of projects, their individual costs or the agencies responsible for executing them. The proposed allocations for prasada and festival facilities are among the details currently available from the temple administration’s request and the review meeting.
The Hasanamba Jatra is a major annual religious event in Hassan, and the proposed spending is intended to support arrangements during the festival period. The final decision by the district administration will determine whether the proposed works and allocations proceed in their current form or are revised after the minister’s objections.
The district administration is expected to take a final decision shortly on the temple administration’s request and the proposed Rs 13.54-crore expenditure.
