Govt. seeks comprehensive reports

By K. N. Venkatasubba Rao

BANGALORE, JULY 5. The State Government has called for comprehensive reports from the cultural academies in view of the ``unbridled financial commitments'' of Rs. 9.5 lakhs and Rs. 6.16 lakhs made by the previous governing bodies of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and the Janapada and Yakshagana Academy, respectively.

The Government's decision was reportedly prompted by the failure of registrars and accounts officers of the academies to protect the financial interests of the Government. The Government was reported to be contemplating framing of a new set of rules for the academies with an emphasis on accountability.

Considering the meagre annual grant of Rs. 13.5 lakhs given to each of the academies, the two academies in question would not be able to even hold their periodic meetings because of their liabilities. Sources said the situation was created by some of the previous chairpersons with political influence and because of undue interference from higher-ups.

Each academy under the Department of Kannada and Culture is given an annual grant of Rs. 13.5 lakhs. Of this, Rs. 7.5 lakhs is generally earmarked for plan expenditure and the rest is meant for activities of the academies. Being autonomous bodies, they have the freedom to mobilise their own resources.

Clauses 6 and 7 of the Chart of Autonomy (ED72MSA78, November 28, 1978) of the academies clearly define the role and responsibilities of the Registrar as ``Principal Executive Officer and custodian'' and the Accounts Officer of the secretariat as ``finance member'' in protecting the interests of the public and the Government. But, despite their experience, the ``custodian'' and the ``finance member'' of the sahitya academy had let down the Government, the sources said.

The alleged book-publishing deal struck in order to help a particular printer on the pretext of enriching Kannada literature was said to be the root cause of the sahitya academy's ``financial and moral liability''. Despite being aware of the financial situation, the academy published a number of books, including a set of six volumes on various forms of Kannada literature published in the 20th century.

Although the academy claimed that the works were important and represented the 20th Century Kannada literary tradition, the publication attracted criticism at the release function itself. The academy is yet to defend the need to publish an English volume on modern Kannada literature, priced at Rs. 200, even as the sales of the Kannada volumes were poor.

The sources also said that a thorough re-evaluation of book publication and sales by some of the academies and the Department of Kannada and Culture would help re-establish their credibility.

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