Date:28/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/28/stories/2006122824930400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

World Kannada meet in Belgaum

K.N. Venkatasubba Rao

Legislature session to be held in January

About 70 hotels to be upgraded to host foreign dignitaries

Officials asked to organise tours of border areas for the dignitaries

BANGALORE: The Government is planning to invite foreign dignitaries and diplomats of the level of Ambassadors and High Commissioners for the three-day World Kannada meet to be held in Belgaum in February to mark the Suvarna Karnataka year.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had asked the officials concerned to go ahead with the preparations for the purpose. Around 50 to 70 hotels in Belgaum and its vicinity will be upgraded to accommodate the foreign dignitaries.

A committee headed by Mr. Kumaraswamy would be constituted shortly to study and plan for the dignitaries participation in the mega event. Mr. Kumaraswamy himself would pay a visit to Delhi exclusively to invite foreign dignitaries and others for the event, according to sources.

The purpose of this exercise is to draw the attention of the world towards the overall potential of the State, particularly in tourism and business. The strides made in the information technology, biotechnology and horticultural sectors would serve to attract these visitors.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had instructed the authorities concerned to organise tours for "Horanada" Kannadigas to showcase the tourism potential of the State, the sources added. Besides it wanted to send a message to Maharashtra in the context of its long demand for the effective and immediate implementation of the Mahajan Report by holding the event during the third week of January. But as it was now thinking of holding the Legislature session in the third week of January, the Kannada meet would he held in February, the sources said.

The Government is now awaiting the report of the Sachhidanand L. Khot Committee on recommending land for constructing a building on the lines of Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum for holding legislature sessions and other administrative purposes at an estimated cost of Rs. 250 crore.

According to sources, the committee is likely to favour the sprawling land at Ankalagi near Belgaum. The Government is in need of an estimated 200 acres for the purpose. The foundation stone for the new Vidhana Soudha would be laid during the world Kannada meet, the sources said.