Chief for BC panel soon

Speaking to reporters after offering floral tributes to the statue of late chief minister D Devaraj Urs in front of Vidhana Soudha, Gowda said the government was in the process of identifying a suitable person to head the commission.

The Backward Classes Commission has remained non-functional ever since the tenure of the previous chairman C S Dwarakanath ended in January this year. The State government has been accused of repeatedly delaying appointment of a new chairperson and members to the commission.

Later in the day, at a function held at Banquet Hall, Gowda presented the Devaraj Urs State-level award to former minister H G Govinde Gowda for his contribution to the welfare of backward classes. Regional awards in the same category were presented to M S Halavaar (Mysore), Bangaramma (Bangalore), Gadag Self Employment Training Centre and Rural Development Society (Belgaum) and Dharmaveera Chavan (Gulbarga).

Participating in a function where he inaugurated the City branch of the Suttur Mutt, Gowda said he was yet to decide whether to contest an Assembly seat or to become member of the Legislative Council. Gowda, currently a Lok Sabha MP,  has to become a member of either Houses of the State legislature within six months.