Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu doesn't know if govt is funding the fest but is gung ho about another unsaved in the offing

ON ANOTHER PLATFORM: District in-charge minister Katta Subramanya Naidu addressing the gathering at the inauguration of Bangalore Habba 2009

District in-charge minister Katta Subramanya Naidu has no idea whether the stateu00a0 government has funded Bangalore Habba but he's planning a Kempegowda Utsava a la the Hampi Utsava.

Naidu, who is also the IT and excise minister, told MiD DAY: "I don't know if the government has given any money for the programmed. I have not taken any details about it."

There was controversy over the government funding Bangalore Habba last year but the government later withdrew since the fest was a private initiative.

The Habba, to be held in December last year, was postponed because of the Mumbai attacks and the security concerns it brought in its wake.

Another fest

Katta plans to start a new cultural fest called the Kempegowda Utsava.u00a0

"Talks are on and details are yet to be chalked out. It will be on the lines of Hampi Utsava and will be very grand. We plan to start the festival next year. Since Kempegowda is the founder of Bangalore, we will name it after him," Katta Subramanya Naidu said.

Events on Monday

Airtel Bengaluru Habba Visual Arts Square
Arts and Crafts hosted by regional artisans
4:00 PM u2013 8:00 PM
King George's Square's, Cubbon Park.
(Next to Minsk Square, HAL Aeroplane)