Date:23/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/23/stories/2005092306670300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Rewards promised for Ganesh mandals

Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM: Prakash B. Hukkeri, Minister for Agriculture Marketing and district in-charge, announced a reward of Rs.1 lakh if the Ganesh mandals decide to install only one Ganesha idol in their respective wards in the city from the next year.

"Whether I remain Minister or not, I will give Rs.1 lakh if you decide to have only one Ganapati idol in your ward," he said to a cheering crowd consisting mainly of the members of various Ganesh Mandals in the city on Tuesday.

He was addressing at a function organised to give away prizes to "Best Ganesha," the competitions for which was organised by popular Marathi daily "Pudhari".

His announcement sparked off a question, almost instantaneously: "Is it an emotional outburst or just a political stunt by the minister?"

The question gains credence and raises other questions in the light of the fact that there are 58 Wards in the Belgaum City Corporation limits. What if the Ganesh Mandals decide to consider Mr. Hukkeri's alluring announcement. Will he shell out Rs. 58 lakhs, if yes, from where he will bring so much of money. Even if mandals decide to have one public Ganesha pandal in half a dozen wards, Mr. Hukkeri will have to gift Rs. 29 lakhs.

The objective behind the announcement is to motivate Ganesha revellers to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi in a manner which does not create problems.