Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that the government would make honest efforts to complete the programmes launched by former chief minister, the late D Devaraja Urs.
Siddaramaiah was replying to a demand made by former chief minister M Veerappa Moily, after launching the year-long birth centenary celebrations of Urs here.
The chief minister said “I will not shy away from implementing any programmes in favour of Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits).
The government conducted the socio-educational survey with the intention of ensuring justice to all.
‘Caste survey’
However, it did not go down well with the people with vested interests, who called it a ‘caste survey’. Barring Bengaluru, where a meagre one per cent of the survey remains to be completed, it has been accomplished in other parts of the State.”
Earlier in his address, Moily had urged the chief minister to complete the unfinished agenda of Urs.
“Let people term it pro-Ahinda, but the chief minister should implement the pending programmes without any fear,” Moily said.
Earlier, the chief minister and other dignitaries offered floral tributes to the tomb of Urs at his native place Kallahalli in Hunsur taluk of the district and announced the adoption of thevillage to be developed as a model.
In Hunsur, Siddaramaiah garlanded the statue of Urs and laid the foundation for the Devaraja Urs Bhavan.
Awards presented
The annual D Devaraj Urs award was presented to former minister and Congress leader R L Jalappa.
The award carries a purse of Rs two lakh, a citation and a memento.
A gallantry award was presented to Deputy Superintendent of Police (retired) K S Sadanand from Mysuru, for saving the life of Devaraja Urs in Mandya in 1978, when a mob, protesting against the execution of the Varuna canal works, tried to attack him.