From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 1: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has promised to enact a law on the use of Kannada language in all fields.

A bill will be introduced in the coming joint session of the State Legislature to be held in December to enact a suitable law on the use of Kannada language in the fields and get it passed in the session, he said in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Speaking after hoisting a Kannada flag on the occasion of 67th Kannada Rajyotsava at Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium organised by Department of School Education and Literacy and Comprehensive Education, he said the country's every language is a mother's tongue and all the languages are Rashtrabhashas.

“Kannada is the mother's tongue as well as 'Rashtrabhasha',’’ the Chief Minister said.

He said a law will be enacted in the State by getting the bill passed in the coming session of the State Legislature on the use of Kannada in all fields.

Once this is done, the BJP government will become the first one to give legal protection for the Kannada language.

“Let there be a free and frank discussion on the proposed legislation in public and the government is ready to accept all the suggestions with an open mind. Apart from passing legislation on the use of Kannada in all fields, one must get the feeling of living for the sake of this language,’’ Bommai said.

Dedicate to work for Kannada

The Chief Minister said in the last three to four years, over 3 lakh jobs would be created in the private sector. As Karnataka has been a progressive state, it will develop further if it receives Rs 7 lakh crore investment in the coming Global Investors Meet.

The State Government is working with a vision for the all-round development of Karnataka. Everyone must feel proud of this language and the children must achieve at an international level. The elders have shown how to lead life and now it was their turn to ensure a better life for the children, he said asking the people to dedicate themselves to work and live for Kannada.

8,000 classrooms in 1 year

Bommai said as many as 8,000 new classrooms are being constructed in one year and it is a record. Since the State was formed on the basis of language in 1956, this many classrooms had never been built in a single year by any government in the past.

No previous governments had given permission for building so many classrooms. If this work continues for the next three years there will be no shortage of classrooms in the State. This project has been taken up under the name of 'Viveka,’ he said.

Filling up of Govt jobs

The Chief Minister said as many as 2.5 lakh government jobs are vacant and it will be filled up in the next two years. This year, one lakh jobs will be filled up.

Once the vacant posts are filled up, it will provide jobs for Kannadigas and strengthen the economy. It will also pave the way for the revolution in academics and industries, he said.

Bommai said there is no shortage of intelligence in the State as Karnataka has been the land of bagging the maximum number of Jnanpith awards so far.

At a time when compassion is forgotten due to liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, they need to nurture to face new challenges.

"We have a great culture of welcoming everyone with an open mind and accepting everybody. While doing this, we have to ensure the protection of our mother's tongue in all fields. Today, it is a day of dedication to provide a quality education, health, employment, technology, software, science and basic infrastructure. We need to make an introspection on their six decades of journey and think what they need to do for the State’s growth in the coming days,’’ he said.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh, MP P C Mohan, MLC sBasavaraj Horatti, Govindaraj and MLA Rizwan Arshad were present.

Govt job for acid attack victim

Responding to plea of an acid attack victim, Bommai promised a government job as well as a flat for a woman acid attack victim.

He said a woman, who has been a victim of acid attack, met him and requested for the government job on the compassionate ground. The chief secretary was instructed on the spot to give her a job.

The State Government has hiked pension for the acid attack victims to Rs 10,000 per month as they had to take care of the family needs. The victim also asked for a house and he will talk to Housing Minister V Somanna to allot one of the 40,000 flats being constructed in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Ratna award

Bommai said he had wished to present 'Karnataka Ratna' award on November 1 and that is being fulfilled. The award will be presented posthumously to Puneeth Raj Kumar who had decided his entire life for the sake of Kannada and created awareness on the greatness of this language.

The late actor had done a lot of philanthropy in the State and was a model for many by pledging his body parts. Seeing the actor, lakhs of people have pledged their eyes. Puneeth had achieved big at a young age for which the State's highest civilian award, 'Karnataka Ratna' will be presented to him posthumously.

Greeting the people on the occasion of 67th Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, he said this festival celebration must not be restricted to only celebrations but it must remain in the hearts of millions of Kannadigas. The government has formulated several schemes for the Kannadigas to come up in various fields including education, employment, and this facility must be utilized, he said.