'Outsourcing workers akin to bonded labour'

System challenges Devaraj Urs' efforts to ban bonder labour, says MLA Ravi

MLA C T Ravi on Saturday likened outsourcing of workers at government offices to bonded labour system that was abolished by D Devaraj Urs.

The legislator was speaking at the programme on the occasion of the 101st birth anniversary of former chief minister late D Devaraj Urs organised under the aegis of district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Backward Classes Welfare and D Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Corporation and Minorities Development Corporation, at Kuvempu Kalamandira.

Ravi said, “The outsourcing of workers at government offices nowadays reminds of bonded labour system that was in practice earlier.”

Crediting Urs for working towards welfare of economically weaker sections, Ravi said, “He also succeeded in bringing enormous changes in the fields of social welfare, academics and economy. In spite of severe opposition from his own cabinet colleagues, Urs went ahead with his programmes to ensure social justice. Such was his leadership ability that he also implemented the recommendations of L G Havanur Committee.”

Continuing, he said the former chief minister took a bold step to rename erstwhile Mysore State as Karnataka and introduced Kannada as administrative language in the State. To ensure parity, Urs had maintained equal distance from lobbyists, Ravi added.

Deputy Commissioner G Satyavathi said, “The government is extending various benefits for students among others. The hostel inmates should practise discipline and ensure hygiene in the hostels.”

MLA B B Ningaiah, who released a booklet on Urs, described the former chief minister as a guiding force for youth.

Zilla Panchayat President B S Chaitrashree called Urs as a great leader, while columnist Chandregowda recalled various welfare programmes initiated by Urs.

A photography exhibition on Urs, which gave a peek into the life of the great leader, organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, attracted many visitors.
Prior to the programme, a rally was taken out from taluk office to Kalamandira.
DH News Service