District in-charge Minister A Manju chairs a preparatory meeting ahead of a ceremony to launch works on Bahubali Maha- mastakabhisheka in Shravanabelagola, in Hassan recently.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will launch works related to Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka, scheduled for February 2018, in Shravanabelagola on April 16, said District in-charge Minister A Manju.
In a preparatory meeting here on Sunday, Manju said that around 1,500 people are expected to attend the programme. The Jain mutt in Shravanabelagola has made seating arrangements for all, and the programme will start at 11 am and conclude by 1 pm, he said.
The minister directed authorities to begin the programme at the scheduled time and not wait for the Chief Minister in case of any delay. Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami will address the gathering and Siddaramaiah will join them later. The programme should be concluded by lunch time, he said.
Manju directed PWD officials to make a spot inspection and utilise maximum space for the construction of decks at Vindhyagiri. When Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra explained to the meeting that Rs 5 crore released for acquiring lands will be insufficient as additional lands are being sought, Manju said that additional works and land acquisition should be managed with available resources as it is not possible to release additional funds.
MLA C N Balakrishna sought additional funds for the development of roads connecting Shravanabelagola and pointed out that Rural Development department had repaired the roads during the previous Mahamastakabhisheka. Manju said Rs 40 crore has been allocated for all the taluks for road works and the same amount has been released for Shravanabelagola also.