The Hindu

Mangalore, May 21: It is the duty of the "Raja" (ruler) to look after the needs of all sections of society, especially the vulnerable sections, deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a function to mark the valedictory of silver jubilee celebrations of Devanga Samaja here on Sunday May 20.

The Karnataka Development Front Government had literally practised "raja dharma" in the last 16 months that it had been in power, he said.

"We have strived hard to ensure development of all vulnerable sections of society, including those from the backward classes and minorities. The Government has not indulged in vote-bank politics," he said.

Referring to various schemes announced by him in the budget, he said the Government was especially concerned at empowering those people who were not able to earn a livelihood on their own. The schemes for fishermen, weavers and farmers, in general and minorities in particular, were a proof of this Government's concern for them, he said.

Yediyurappa urged the people from Devanga (weaver) community to ensure that they provided education to their children. The Government had given priority to ensure that education needs of all were met, he added.

Vishvesha Tirtha swamiji of Sri Pejawar Math urged all concerned to integrate the backward Devanga community into the mainstream. Umashree, MLC, released a souvenir to mark the occasion.

Yediyurappa felicitated K Narayan of Span Print, Bangalore, for his services to the community.