Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Nov 1, 2004) announced the setting up of two academies, one for translation of good literary works from other languages into Kannada and the other to take the benefits of science and technology to farmers.

Singh's announcement came at a rally held in Bangalore on the occasion of Karnataka's 49th "Kannada Rajyotsava", the State formation day.

Reaffirming the Government's commitment to promote use of Kannada as the State's administrative language, Singh said the Government would take stern action against officials who showed laxity in implementing it.

He said the Government would also give more thrust to the implementation of the Dr. Sarojini Mahishi committee recommendations on providing more employment to the local people.

Singh also assured the people of north Karnataka that all out efforts would be made to remove the regional imbalance there.

Referring to calls in some quarters for the creation of a separate north Karnataka State for alleged neglect of the region, Singh said such demands had become "outdated" and were now a closed chapter.

The Congress-JDS (Janata Dal Secular) coalition Government was committed to the all round development of all regions of the State, he said.

Cultural programmes organised by various Kannada organisations across the State highlighted the "Rajyotsava" celebrations.