Bommai promises 80% priority forKannadigas in industrial jobs

Haveri, Jan 6: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday promised to ensure 80% priority for Kannadigas in jobs in the industrial sector and also protect the interests of all Kannadigas, especially in border areas and those outside the State.
Inaugurating the 86th Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Haveri, the Chief Minister said the State Government will bring a legal shape for the comprehensive development of the State’s official language of Kannada.Kannada is one of the oldest languages. The life and culture of Kannadigas is great and Kannada has given shape, meaning and strength to the life of Kannadigas, he said and lauded the role of the Kannada literary conference in promoting the cause of Kannada.Bommai lauded the contribution of Prof Doddarangegowda, the conference chairman, for enriching the Kannada literary world and his predecessor Dr H S Venkateshamurthy.
The Chief Minister underscored the need to introspect on the progress achieved so far in the growth and development of the language and the culture of the people. It is a matter of pride that eight eminent Kannada writers have been conferred the prestigious Jnanpith awards and two Saraswathi Sammans to Kannadigas.
He said the people of the entire State have contributed to the growth and development of Kannada language and recalled the contribution and service of eminent writers for the language, especially the unification of the State.The Chief Minister said the State Government has prepared a draft legislation for the comprehensive development of the Kannada language in all sectors and said his predecessor B S Yediyurappa had taken a leading role. The draft legislations must be widely discussed to fine tune it.
The government wants to tweak the State’s employment policy to ensure 80% priority for jobs in the industries in the State, he said adding that a decision will be taken in the State Cabinet.
Bommai claimed that he was a servant for the cause and development of Kannada and hoped that the conference will give valuable suggestions for enriching the lives of Kannadigas and for the development of the language.
The Chief Minister later proceeded to Tumkur and participated in the Jan Sankalp Yatra of the ruling BJP.
Tumkur Jan Sankalp Yatra
BJP National President J P Nadda, Yediyurappa, State BJP Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, State party in charge Arun Singh, C T Ravi, R Ashok and other leaders attended the programme.
Speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said the government will solve the reservation issue, particularly the demand of the Panchamasali Lingayats on 2A quota, will be discussed and decided as per law.On the demand for including lessons in the school textbooks on Siddeshwar Swamiji, Bommai said the government will discuss with the seers and other leaders.