Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar Sunday said Karnataka govt was considering granting official recognition to the red-and-yellow Kannada flag as the state’s flag without affecting the dignity of the Tricolour.“The yellow-and-red flag has become an integral symbol of the state’s identity. We’ll discuss the matter and explore legal options in the upcoming Belagavi legislative session,” the CM said at the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations here.He said the state had earlier passed a cabinet resolution and submitted a proposal to the Centre, but approval was awaited.This is not the first time the Congress govt has attempted to secure official status for the Kannada flag. In 2018, the Siddaramaiah-led govt proposed a redesigned state flag and sought recognition for it. Asked whether govt would consider the new design, Shivakumar said, “The flag we are proposing is the plain yellow-and-red that is widely used across Karnataka.”Shivakumar said the govt was considering making the hoisting of Kannada flag mandatory at govt offices and institutions receiving govt support. The announcement comes amid renewed discussions on Kannada identity and language promotion.A long-pending demand for extending grant-in-aid benefits to Kannada-medium aided schools established after 1995 found mention at the celebrations. Responding to school education minister Madhu Bangarappa’s request in this regard, the CM said the govt would soon call representatives of Kannada-aided schools and discuss the matter with the finance department on grants.Such recognition primarily covers teacher salary expenditure, with sanctioned teaching posts coming under govt funding.Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) general secretary D Shashi Kumar said the demand has been pending for several years. “These are Kannada-medium schools that have continued to function without grant support,” he said.Gram Anubhava launched: The CM launched Gram Anubhava, which aims to expose urban school students to rural life, covering students of Classes 8, 9 and 11.50% off on Kannada books in Nov: Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Pradhikara has announced a 50% discount from Nov 1 to 30 on all its publications as part of Rajyotsava celebrations.
