Pauper Palike to keep poet Kanaka’s birth anniversary a low-key affair

The decision angers Kuruba corporators who belong to the community of 16th century Kannada poet Kanakadasa

Pauper Palike to keep poet Kanaka's birth anniversary a low-key affair

The decision angers Kuruba corporators who belong to the community of 16th century Kannada poet Kanakadasa

A cash-strapped and debt-riddled BBMP has decided to keep Kanaka Jayanthi celebration a low-key affair, much to the dismay of Kuruba corporators, who belong to the community of the revolutionary 16th century Kannada poet, Kanakadasa.

The BMMP had organised Kanaka Jayanti in Rajkumar Glass House
last year, but this time they plan to do it in a tent

Contrary to last year when the Palike had held the event in Rajkumar Glass House and shelled out Rs 4 lakh on it, the civic body, reeling under a debt of Rs 4,000 crore, has decided to mark the legendary poet's birth anniversary in a tent this time on November 24.

Last year, the event was hosted by the then Deputy Mayor, N Dayanand, along with opposition Kuruba leader M Nagaraj, but this year, the palike has set up a small colourful tent on the palike premises.

And when aggrieved Kuruba corporators asked the BBMP, it simply raised its hands in surrender and put the graphic details of its bleeding coffers before them.

"The civic body has taken this event very lightly this year. They do not have money to pay us to maintain our respective areas and now such an important event is going to be underplayed due to lack of funds.
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I will sell my house, to maintain my area and ensure that the legendary poet's birth anniversary is celebrated with pomp and glory," said K Doddanna, Corporator, Attigupe Ward.

BBMP has a total of 25 Kuruba leaders, out of which 9 belong to the Congress and the rest are from the BJP. Each year corporators indulge in a lot of charity work during this celebration. Last year, Kuruba corporators distributed books, school uniforms and food to the needy in their areas.

Debt-riddled
What further poses a question on BBMP's low financial status is the increasing amount of debts which are yet to be cleared. "The corporation has more than Rs 4,000 crore debts and this year too they have made many empty promises.
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Last year we managed to pacify the public, but this time people claim that they have elected spineless corporators as we cannot discharge our duties without funds. We are absolutely unhappy about this year's plan for a low key celebration," said M Nagaraj, Corporator and former opposition leader.

Asked whether financial health of the Palike prompted them to make the jayanti a low-key affair this year, BBMP officials retorted saying that last year's event was not well-received by the corporotors with many of them not even turning up for the event.

"Last time the Palike held its Kanakajayanti celebration at Rajkumar Glass House, but the corporators' poor response prompted the BBMP to hold the celebration in a tent next to the council building," said B. Khandre, Public Relations Manager, BBMP.