Pramesh Jain
Chief Minister,Basavaraj Bommai does away as banned presentation of garlands, bouquets,shawls and fruits at any government programme.However,organisers of such programmes have been permitted to present Kannada books to guests.
The Chief Minister,who participated in a meeting of senior police officials in Bengaluru on August 10,refused to accept a bouquet.
This is unnecessary expenditure.There is no need to give bouquet,garlands and shawls in the name of protocol.Henceforth,the tradition should be stopped,he said.
As per the instructions by the Chief Minister, P.Ravikumar,Chief Secrertary to Government immediately passed the order.The order says that from now on,Kannada books may be given instead of bouquets.
Subsequently,the Chief Secretary issued a circular directing not to give garland,shawls, flower bouquets,fruit baskets and memorabilia at meetings and events by the state government and the government-run-institutions.
All department heads and government undertakings have been asked to comply with the directions, it said.
It is important to bring financial stability during these Covid times.Before next March 31,all unnecessary expenditure must be cut down by at least 5% in departments.It would be great if it can be cut down further.
This, without affecting the necessary programmes,he said in one of his first decisions as the chief minister.
Recently, the newly sworn-in Energy and Kannada & Culture Minister V Sunil Kumar had appealed to those coming to greet him not to give garlands and gifts and asked for Kannada books instead, which he would donate to a library in his Karkala constituency.
