Shivakumar launches Prajaseva, hints at 7.5 pc reservation for rural govt school students
Vijayanagara (Karnataka), Sep 5 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday launched the Prajaseva campaign in Kudligi and said the government would discuss a proposal to provide 7.5 per cent reservation to students studying in government schools in rural areas.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Shivakumar said the proposal was intended to benefit children studying in government schools in villages and that further details would be shared after discussions.
The Chief Minister, who launched the first Prajaseva programme in Kudligi on Teachers’ Day, paid floral tribute to the portrait of former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
He also announced that the government had decided to accord professional recognition to school teachers by allowing them to use the title “Tr.” before their names.
“We have discussed this matter in the Cabinet. From now on, school teachers can use the title ‘Tr.’ before their names. There are around 4.5 lakh teachers in the State,” he said.
Describing parents and teachers as the two most important figures in a person’s life, Shivakumar said teaching was a profession that guided and corrected society without selfish motives.
“Soldiers, workers, teachers and farmers are the pillars of the country. We must respect them, and it is the responsibility of our government to do so,” he said.
Earlier, Shivakumar paid floral tribute to the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Kudligi. Minister Basavanthappa and MLA N.T. Srinivas were present.
The programme witnessed an emotional moment when teachers of an aided high school named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appealed to Shivakumar to prevent its closure.
Teachers Shanta, Jaganmathe, Bharathi and Venkatesh told the Chief Minister that the school in Hagaribommanahalli-Ramanagara was the only aided high school in the area bearing Indira Gandhi’s name and had 169 girl students.
The teachers became emotional and held Shivakumar’s hand while making their appeal. The Chief Minister immediately called the Zilla Panchayat CEO and directed the official to take all necessary steps to ensure the school’s continuation.
Transgender persons Manjamma Jogathi and Pragathi from Kanamadugu village met Shivakumar and sought houses and agricultural land.
The Chief Minister assured them that the government would take responsibility for providing them with houses. He said sites would be distributed to landless people across every district.
Several other residents submitted petitions seeking title deeds for houses and agricultural land, construction of a Bhovi community hall and action against alleged encroachment of lakes in Kudligi taluk.
Shivakumar directed officials to resolve the grievances within a stipulated time.
Before the main programme, the Chief Minister inspected counters set up to receive public petitions, including the counter handling Gruha Lakshmi applications. He instructed officials to ensure that the government’s guarantee schemes reached eligible beneficiaries in Karnataka.
The Prajaseva campaign was organised across the State under the leadership of district in-charge ministers. Shivakumar later interacted through video conference with Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and Ministers Santosh Lad, S.S. Mallikarjun and Shivalinge Gowda.
He directed officials to conduct Prajaseva programmes on the scheduled dates at the district, taluk and hobli levels.
“Once a person submits an application, they should not have to return and submit another application for the same grievance. Everyone should work towards resolving the issue at the first instance,” he said.
–IANS
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