Urs worked tirelessly for backward classes: CM

Shyam Sundar Vattam/NT

Bengaluru

 Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai said the former chief minister D. Devaraja Urs did a noteworthy service of helping the backward classes make a mark in the field of politics, economics and academia.

Talking to reporters after garlanding the statue of Devaraja Urs in the West gate of Vidhana Soudha on the occasion of his 107th birth anniversary here on Saturday, he said it was Urs who constituted the Havanur Commission and implemented it.

The credit of thinking about the backward classes for the first time in the country and doing everything for their uplift goes to him.

Urs had opined that real development is possible only if there is inclusive growth. All of them are committed to those principles and working. Devaraja Urs was a great leader, an able administrator, a champion of backward classes and a farmer leader that the state of Karnataka has seen, he added.

Permanent place

Bommai said the late CM Urs had served in his own way during pre-independence and in the history of Karnataka. He is a leader who will permanently stay in the hearts of people.

 “We have seen Urs’s concern for the poor, commitment to do justice for backward classes and love for landless people made him bring changes while working as the CM. The concept of tiller as owner of land was a revolutionary decision implemented by him under the Land Reforms Act

“After a prolonged battle, rules were framed and implemented. That credit goes to Devaraja Urs. He ensured social justice through the Land Reforms Act.”

Bommai said Urs had a special concern for the poor because of which he built Janata Houses, provided electricity at concessional rates and offered special facilities for backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In politics, he took Karnataka to new heights at national level.

“Unfortunately, for whom he sacrificed everything was not with him during his last date. This tragedy needs thinking. By doing it the importance of Devaraja Urs will not diminish since he has stayed permanently in the hearts of people.

The present government has formulated several schemes on the path shown by him. We have shown our humble respects to this tall leader by implementing several programs for the welfare of backward classes, women, SC/ST and youth. We have been doing it continuously,” he added.