The State government has selected D Borappa, a social worker who runs a chain of educational institutions for the poor in Chitradurga, for this year’s “Maharshi Valmiki” award, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya announced in Bangalore on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, Anjaneya said the award will be presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Valmiki Jayanthi (October 8) at Banquet Hall in Vidhana Soudha. The award carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh.
Anjaneya said an expert committee headed by writer G S Siddaramaiah had been constituted to select the awardee this year. The minister said Borappa, 79, founder of Madakarinayaka Foundation, runs a chain of educational institutions from nursery school to nursing colleges and hostels for the benefit of the poor.
To a query that there were allegations that Borappa had defaulted in paying salaries to his staff, Anjaneya asked, “Against whom there is no allegation? There are no pure Gandhijis anymore. Borappa had not even applied for the award.”
Anjaneya said 15 new Valmiki residential schools will be opened for SC/ST students at a cost of Rs 180 crore this year. The government had been providing 30 kg rice, five kg sugar and 2 litre kerosene to 35,000 tribal families for six months (June to December).
The minister said deputy commissioners have been directed to ascertain the antecedents of the applicants before issuing caste certificates. Strict action will be initiated against those issuing and those in possession of fake caste certificates, he said.
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