From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 19: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai garlanded the statue of former Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs on his 106th birth anniversary in front of Vidhana Soudha on Friday and described him as one of the most capable leader, who contributed a lot in building modern Karnataka even while espousing the cause of backward classes and farmers.

“The role and contribution of Devaraj Urs in building the State is enormous,’’ Bommai said and asked people to emulate his ideals and commitment in the service of the State.

Lauding the revolutionary Land Reforms Law passed and implemented by the Urs regime, the Chief Minister said the stalwart had brought to prominence several leaders from the backward and downtrodden communities, including youth and women.

The Chief Minister said the policies and programmes of Urs would be remembered for a long time and described the former Chief Minister for his progressive thinking.

3 Residential Schools for Nomadic Tribes

The Chief Minister, who addressed a function organised by the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Department in Vidhana Soudha, announced that three residential schools for students of nomadic tribes would be started at a cost of Rs 6 crore each this year.

Bommai said four nomadic residential schools were already functioning the in the State and another three would be started this year.

He also said the State Government would bring about qualitative upgradation of residential schools for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These students would be trained to get higher education, employment opportunities besides participate NEET and other competitive examinations.

The Chief Minister said the State Government was running residential schools for the students belonging to the Backward Classes. Scholarships worth Rs 625 crore was being provided and self-employment schemes were also being run at a cost of Rs 63 crore.

The Chief Minister conferred Devaraj Urs awards to B L Patil, Susheelamma and Bhaskar Das Yekkur for their contribution for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes.

The Social Welfare and Backward Classes Department had organised a function in memory of Devaraj Urs. Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP MP P C Mohan and Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad attended the function.

Shobha calls on CM, offers sweets

Union Minister of State of Agriculture and Famers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje called on Chief Minister Bommai at his official residence and offered him a shawl and sweets. She held discussions with the Chief Minister during her courtesy visit.