BANGALORE: If Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is following state government’s suit, which restricted Rajyotsava awards to just 50 in 2011, then BBMP will also restrict Kempegowda awards to 50 recipients. Mayor Sharadamma, councillors and other Palike officials, held a meeting to zero down on the number of awards to be given away this year. It may be recalled that last year Kempegowda award was presented to 264 members. When contacted, Mayor Sharadamma confirmed there was a proposal to cut down the number of awardees.
“We are yet to finalise the number of recipients. But it will be lesser than the previous year which exceeded 250,” she said, and added, We are yet decide whether we will increase the cash prize or restrict it to `1 lakh per awardee.
Last year, the cash prize was reduced from `25,000 to `20,000. It can be also recalled that 14 awardees did not collect the cash amount and the same was cancelled She said that the councillors were demanding an increase in the amount from `1 lakh to `2 lakh per ward.