Dharwad: Deputy leader of opposition in the legislative assembly Aravind Bellad has strongly criticised the state govt’s decision to permit private organisations to hold programmes at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha.He said the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha holds certain dignity and prestige. “Instead of preserving it, the state govt is damaging its reputation. The decision of govt to allow private organisations to hold programmes in the banquet hall should be strongly opposed,” he said.Bellad said Bangalore Lawyers’ Association and Ravivarmakumar Associates were granted permission to organise a felicitation programme in honour of former advocate general Ravivarma Kumar’s 50 years of professional service, in the banquet hall. He questioned the appropriateness of such events in a hall meant solely for govt programmes. “Granting permission to private entities will undermine its dignity,” he said. He alleged that govt may have yielded to pressure in allowing this, and warned that this could set a bad precedent. In future, ministers, senior govt officials, and wealthy individuals may also demand the banquet hall for organising private events such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries of their family members,” Bellad said, and urged the govt to immediately reverse the decision.
