IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2016

BEFORE

THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE S. ABDUL NAZEER

WRIT PETITION NO.47197/2015 (GM-RES)

Between:

Sri B.V.Satyanarayana Rao,

S/o late K.N.Visweshwaraiah,
Aged about 65 years,
R/a Flat No.501, Sri Raksha Paradise,
4th Cross, 1st Main, Manjunatha Nagara,
Uttarahalli MainRoad, Kallahalli,
Bangalore – 560 061. …. Petitioner.

(By Sri Shankarappa, Adv.)

And:

1 The Hon’ble Chief Minister

Of Karnataka,
Vidhana Soudha,
Bangalore – 560 001.

2 The Hon’ble Minister for Kannada & Culture,

Government of Karnataka,
Room No.252, 2nd Floor,
Vidhana Soudha,
Bangalore – 560 001.
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3 The Commissioner,
Department of Kannada & Culture,
Government of Karnataka,
Kannada Bhavan, J.C.Road,
Bangalore – 560 001.

4 The Chairman of Selection Committee,

Of Rajyothsava Award,
R/o No.498, Suragi, 6-A Main,
RMV 2nd Stage,
Bangalore – 560 080.

5 Dr.K.B.Sindappa,
Member of Selection Committee of
Karnataka Rajyothsava Award,
No.1115, Behind Primary School,
Upaparahalli,
Tumkur 572 102. …. Respondents.

(By Sri A.G.Shivanna, Addl. Adv. General for

Sri T.L.Kiran Kumar, AGA for R3 to R5
R1 and R2 deleted vide Order dated 31.10.2015)

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This Writ Petition is filed under Articles 226 & 227 of

the Constitution of India, praying to direct the respondents to
consider the representation of the petitioners dated 8.10.2013,
17.9.2015 and 21.9.2015 at Annexures ‘D’, ‘W’ and ‘X’ for
awarding Kannada Rajyotsava Award, etc.

This Writ Petition having been heard and reserved for

Orders, this day, the Court pronounced the following::
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ORDER

The petitioner had made an application for Kannada

Rajyotsava award in the year 2013. The respondent did not

consider the application. Therefore, he filed a writ petition

W.P.No.49527/2013 for a mandamus directing the

respondents to consider the said application. This Court by

order dated 19.12.2014 directed respondent Nos.3 and 4 to

consider his application for Kannada Rajyotsava award. After

hearing the parties, this Court disposed of the writ petition as

under:

“4. It is not in dispute that the awards for the

year 2013 have already been given. Therefore,
question of directing respondent Nos.3 and 4
to consider the application of the petitioner for
bestowing the Kannada Rajyotsava Award for
the year 2013 at this stage does not arise. It is
also evident that petitioner has authored several
books in Kannada and Sanskrit languages. I am
sure that respondent Nos.2 and 3 will consider
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his case for the award for the year 2015. With
these observations, the writ petition is disposed
of. No costs.”

2. The petitioner has again made an application

Annexure ‘W’ dated 17.9.2015 requesting the third

respondent to consider him for the award. Since the said

application was not considered, the petitioner has filed this

writ petition for a mandamus directing the respondents to

consider the application and also for a direction to frame the

guidelines for considering the names of the persons for

bestowing the award.

3. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that the

petitioner is a poet and a writer and he has authored 66 books

in Kannada and Sanskrit languages. He was awarded different

titles at different points of time. The respondents are

deliberately ignoring him while giving the award. It is

submitted that ineligible persons have been bestowed with

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the award. Therefore, it is necessary to frame the guidelines

for considering the names of the persons for bestowing the

award.

4. Sri A.G.Shivanna, learned Additional Advocate

General submits that the application of the petitioner for the

award has already been considered for this year. A list

containing the names of persons for the award has been sent

to the High Power Committee. He further submits that a

Committee consisting of 22 members headed by Hon’ble Sri

Justice H.N.Nagamohan Das, former Judge of this Court as

its Chairman was constituted by the State Government to

frame the guidelines for selecting the persons for Kannada

Rajyotsava award. The Committee has framed guidelines,

which has been submitted to the State Government for

approval. The State Government will consider the said

guidelines and pass necessary order.

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5. Having regard to the submission of the learned

Additional Advocate General, the prayer of the petitioner for

consideration of his application for the Kannada Rajyotsava

award does not survive for consideration.

6. It is clear from the materials on record that the

Committee constituted to frame the guidelines for the

Kannada Rajyotsava award has already submitted the draft

guidelines to the State Government. The State Government

has to consider the said guidelines and issue an order as

expeditiously as possible. Ordered accordingly. Writ petition

is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. No costs.

Sd/-
JUDGE.

BMM/-