The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Internal quotas soon, says Kumaraswamy

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Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Internal quotas soon, says Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister unveils statue of Babu Jagjivan Ram

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

A memorial: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (right) and Deputy Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa unveiling the statue of Babu Jagjivan Ram in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Bangalore: Even as the fate of the coalition Government headed by him hangs in the balance, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said internal reservation (categorised quotas within the existing reservation system) would be a reality shortly.

He was addressing a large gathering of Dalits, Scheduled Tribes and other poor communities after unveiling a statue of the former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram at the western gate of the Vidhana Soudha here.

Stressing that he did not want to exploit the opportunity for political purposes, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the beneficiaries of internal reservation should work for the betterment of their communities. They should not allow politicians to exploit the issue for political profit, he warned.

Cornered by a few

The Chief Minister said that during his programme of staying overnight in villages, he had observed that the benefits of reservation had been cornered by a few. A majority of the people in rural areas did not even have proper clothing. Such issues should be addressed effectively to achieve social justice and equality, he said.

The Chief Minister said there had been apprehensions whether the Janata Dal (S) and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition would be able to address the problems faced by Dalits and backward classes. It had effectively addressed those doubts by releasing Rs. 2,560 crore for the welfare of Dalits and Other Backward Classes, Rs. 1,035 crore for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Rs. 100 crore for minorities, he said.

Commitment

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the Government was committed to the welfare of Dalits and other oppressed sections. It had earmarked Rs. 3 crore for constructing Jagjivan Ram Bhavans on the lines of the existing Ambedkar Bhavans. Additional funds would be provided for the purpose.

Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K.H. Muniyappa applauded the efforts of JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda and the coalition Government in expediting the installation of the statue, which had been pending for over two decades. He appealed to the Centre to declare Jagjivan Ram’s birthday a national holiday.

Many Ministers, MLAs and MLCs were present. Minister for Industries Katta Subramanya Naidu presided over the event.

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