The categories are best director, best actor, best actress, best fiction and best reality show. The last date for receiving nominations is 24 November.

The jury will meet on 28 November to pick out five nominees from each category. Tele-voting and SMS voting will then decide the winners. The awardees will be announced on 21 December.

Zee Kannada will not submit any entries.

"The effort is to recognize personalities who have made an exemplary contribution to the growth and development of the television industry in Karnataka," says Essel Group Vice-President Gautham Machaiah.

The Group has so far honored legislators, sportspersons, bureaucrats, police officers, NGOs, advocates, ministers, entrepreneurs, doctors and journalists.