Events in Bangalore Palace Grounds cannot be held beyond 3 days: Karnataka CM

BELGAUM: Chief minister Siddaramaiah defended the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR) decision of not giving permission to hold Bangalore Book Festival beyond 3 days in Bangalore Palace Grounds.

Replying to Ganesh Karnic (BJP), the CM told legislative council on Thursday that Supreme Court was strictly monitoring the functions held in the Palace Grounds and government cannot go back on what it has submitted before the apex court.

"There is no rule to give permission beyond 3 days. Despite the rule say no commercial activities like trade fairs, consumer exhibitions can be permitted, the government under special consideration has given permission for three days," Siddaramaiah said.

The DPAR farmed new guidelines on December 21, 2012 for leasing out Palace Grounds for various events following a directive from the high court. The same has been submitted to SC. Only short-term programmes not exceeding three days will be permitted. The organizers of Bangalore Book Festival sought 10 days' time.

A senior official in the DPAR maintained that if the organizers want to hold 10 day event, they can do so in any other grounds in Bangalore. "Many grounds are centrally located in the city. Nobody can stop them from going to court," he said.