BENGALURU: The proposed celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Vidhana Soudha is now seeing opposition by the Former Legislators Forum. The forum demanded that if the fest’s proposed budget can be pruned from `27 crore to `10 crore, it can be further brought down by bringing down costs of aspects such as food. The forum suggested that the guests be served food from Indira Canteens as it is touted as protein rich.
This will not only reduce costs, but will also give public representatives a taste of what the people are being served. They also suggested planting of 60 saplings by each legislator in their respective districts. The forum shot off letters to Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad on October 12 and to Council Chairman of D H Shankaramurthy to allow them to participate in the celebrations so that they can present their views on how the event should be carried out. They, however, said they have received no reply so far.
Forum general secretary Basavaraj H D said, “We had requested the Speaker and Chairman to consider our participation but we have not heard from them. We have had drought for the past four years and now we have had heavy rain. Both have cause a lot of inconvenience to the public. In such a situation it is not advisable to spend so much money.”
Forum president H M Chandrashekharappa said, “The 60th year celebration is not mandated. It is just an occassion. Only the 50th, 75th and 100th years are important. When APJ Abdul Kalam had visited, the celebrations were simple. Even former legislators’ contributions should be recognised for this occasion.”
The forum gave examples of Devaraj Urs’ modest birth anniversary celebrations. “The anniversary was celebrated in every district but the expenditure was less,” Basavaraj said.