BANGALORE: The Government has decided to construct a Babu Jagjivan Ram Bhavan at a cost of Rs. 3 crore to mark the birth centenary of the late leader who is best remembered for having successfully led the Green Revolution as Union Agriculture Minister, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced here on Thursday.

Speaking at the birth centenary celebrations of Babu Jagjivan Ram, Mr. Yediyurappa said the best tribute that could be paid to him would be to undertake programmes and policies for the welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people, for whose progress he had ceaselessly toiled. The Government had earmarked Rs. 600 crore in the Budget for housing for the poor and Rs. 10 crore for a unique micro-loan scheme that would help skilled and unskilled artisans set up small enterprises. The allocation for the Ganga Kalyana scheme was Rs. 100 crore.

Apart from this, there would be 25 Morarji Desai residential schools and hostels for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, Mr. Yediyurappa said.

Honoured

Several persons working for the welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people were honoured on the occasion. They were freedom fighter and Gandhian S. Honnaiah, folk artiste Kashibai Jagaratti, gei gei exponent Durgabai Yamunabai Madar, social worker Devadas Shetty, S.C. Sharma for education and D. Shivanna, Shivabasappa, and Basavaraj Hosamani (all for social work).

A portrait of Babu Jagjivan Ram was unveiled and a calendar released on the occasion.

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