CM Bommai participates in Karnataka Bhovi Welfare Association programme

Dr B Thomas (Special Correspondent)

S cheme of 75 units of free power for SC/STs, clarifies CM Bommai

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai declared that the scheme of giving 75 units of power for SCs/STs will not be withdrawn at any cost and said it will be simplified further and provide money from the current month.

He was speaking after inaugurating the silver jubilee of Karnataka Bhovi Welfare Association and 43rd pratibha Puraskar function at Jasma Devi Mandir’s Kalyana Mantap here on Sunday. ”

The greatest quality of the Bhovi community is that they are hard workers and work not caring about sun, rain or wind.

We have had a connection with this community for over 30 years. My father had a cordial relationship with the bhovi community. G.S.Bilagi from Hubli and G.Basavneppa from Shivamogga had served as the ministers and they had been close to my father”.

The CM said it is a matter of pride that two persons from this community have been elected to the State Assembly in Bengaluru.

Both Arvind Limbavali and Raghu have been winning from Bengaluru for the last three consecutive times.

Though the Congress MLA, Akhanda Srinivasamurthy belongs to a different party but still he is close to him.

The welfare of this community is like the welfare of the State.My focus,my programmes are aimed at the welfare of the working class.

Once money was given a lot of importance and now times have changed. Presently priority is given for working which is the hallmark of the Bhovi community.

Bommai said Sri Siddarameshwara is a great sharana and his vachanas are still relevant.He has not only written vachanas but also built several tanks/lakes,temples and did a social revolution.

The 12th century social reformer, Basavanna had appointed Siddarameshwara as secretary in Shoonya Simhasana of Anubhava Mantap.This is the greatness of the community,he added.

Bommai said time has changed and all of them need not continue their family profession.The 21st century is the century of knowledge and they can shine in any field with the power of knowledge and education.

“I am very happy with the marks that the kids have scored in various examinations.The children are intelligent and have loads of knowledge.

They will come forward if given the opportunity. The Bhovi community youths must enter IT/BT, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, medicine and other professions and come up in life These children must be infused with confidence”.

He said the government will take all possible steps to remove all the legal hurdles for the profession of this community.

The children are given scholarships and hostels are being constructed.This year,the government will build 100 new hostels in the name of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Besides,five mega hostels with 1000 students capacity are also under construction.

The government was helping students who wish to study abroad.The rural artisans involved in various traditional professions will be given Rs 50000 each as loan/subsidy and formulated schemes for the kids of economically weaker sections and working classes.

Revenue Minister R.Ashok, Karnataka Bhovi Welfare Association President and MLA S.Raghu, MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, Sri Immadi Siddarameshwara Swamiji of Bhovi Gurupeeta, Chitradurga and Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary N.Manjunath Prasad and others were present.