Govts. goal is upliftment of all communities, welfare schemes not governed by caste, says CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Nanjangud on Sunday that his government was committed to the welfare and upliftment of all communities and the welfare schemes were not governed by caste.

He was speaking at Sri Bhagirathi Jayanti celebrations and programme to lay the foundation stone for the community hall for the Upparas, organised by the district administration.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the welfare schemes launched by the government were rooted in the constitutional principles of opportunity for all caste, religions, and sections of society.

Speaking about the Bhagirati Jayanti, the Chief Minister pointed out that the government was commemorating the birthdays of great philosophers and social reformers who contributed immensely to humanity and their teachings transcended caste barriers. “Even the government programmes and policies are shaped by the values and teachings of such visionaries,” he added.

Mr. Siddaramaiah touched upon the practices that prevailed when the varna system governed social behaviour and said that education and livelihood opportunities had been denied to the Shudras of whom the Uppara community members are among the most backward socially and economically.

But in modern times the government follows Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s principles and his call for Education, Organisation, and Struggle, heeding which the Uppara community must also become strong socially, educationally and economically. ‘’It is with this intention that we have established a separate corporation for the development of the Uppara community,” said the Chief Minister.

Mr. Siddaramaiah pointed out that during his first tenure as the Chief Minister, he had introduced several ‘Bhagya’ schemes for the welfare of the poor and the socially backward groups. In the second tenure the government has launched give guarantee schemes which provides economic sustenance to the beneficiaries, he added.

The Chief Minister listed out the give guarantee schemes and said that the government provides financial support to the tune of ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 every month due to these five schemes.

He said under the Shakti scheme alone, 500 crore women have availed free bus travel, and this has given a positive impetus to the economy.

Pointing out that economic distress and inequality cannot be eliminated or addressed through mere speeches, the Chief Minister said that concrete action plans must be conceived and implemented. “Our government was working tireless on this front,” he added.

Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled how the Dalit emancipation movement in Karnataka had called for eschewing liquor and instead demanded more schools and said that this inspired him to open Morarji Residential Schools, which now exist in every hobli.

Siddaramaiah urged the Uppara community members to take a pledge to ensure their children receive education and reiterated the government’s support to them in their socio-economic and educational progress.

Sri Purushothamanandapuri Swami, K. Venkatesh, Minister, Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Puttarangashetty, Anil Chikkamadu, Ganesh Prasad, Krishnamurthy, MLAs, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC, leaders of the Uppara community, senior officials of the district administration, and others were present