BU sets up Chair on labour research

  The facility is the first-of-its-kind in South India and the second in the country, said sources in the University.

Addressing a gathering here, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa paid tribute to Venkataram and said: “He strove hard for the welfare and development of labourers in the State, so that they could lead peaceful lives.”

In the recent past, labour issues have been relegated to the background and no serious discussions are being held about the various challenges faced by the labourers, in both the Houses, the chief minister added.

Enter politics: CM

In this scenario, Yeddyurappa urged more people from the labour class to enter politics and thereby the legislative houses thus providing adequate representation in the future.
Similarly, Higher Education Minister Arvind Limbavali pointed out that a majority of staff members in Information Technology, BPOs and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) are devoid of formal representation and are plagued by several issues. Health is a major concern for employees working during odd hours in such industries, he added.
 “Appropriate measures should be taken to protect such employees,” he added.

The chief minister highlighted various welfare schemes initiated by the State government in the past two years. The government is fully committed to the welfare of labourers in the State, he added.

‘Exercise restraint’

Commenting on the All India Youth Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi’s statement urging state leaders of Congress party to dismantle the BJP government during his recent visit, Yeddyurappa said “Being a young politician he should not utter whatever pleases him.”

He also questioned as to how one could topple the government formed with a ‘majority.’
On Rahul Gandhi’s comment on illegal mining in Karnataka, Yeddyurappa challenged him to make similar statements about illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh.

“Let him speak about mining in AP if he has the courage,” Yeddyurappa quipped.