Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (SP)

Chitradurga, Aug 18: Karnataka minister for social welfare and backward classes, H Anjaneya, announced here on Sunday August 17, that former minister, B Subbaiah Shetty from Mangalore, has been picked for this year's state level 'D Devaraj Urs Award'. He was addressing a press conference organized in the auditorium of the zilla panchayat here.

Anjaneya added that the award, for which Shetty has been chosen for the year 2014, comprises cash component of two lac rupees as well as a medal, and felicitation. He added that the award will be conferred on Shetty by state chief minister, Siddaramaiah, at a function being held at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha on August 20.

'The award selection committee comprising of Dr Marulasiddappa in the capacity of president, and B K Ravi, chairman of Books Authority, Banjagere Jayaprakash, and writer, Kamala Hampana as members, has made this choice. The government had not interfered with the functioning of the committee. The government has accepted the committee's recommendation, and accordingly, Shetty will receive the award,' Anjaneya explained further.

B Subbaiah Shetty, born on February 4, 1934, entered the field of politics after completing Bsc and BL degrees. After getting elected from Suratkal assembly constituency, Shetty became the first minister for land reforms, and worked hard to implement the land reforms brought about by the state government. He also served information and energy departments during his tenures there ably. He also served as education minister till 1980. He had played a major role in bringing into practice the dreams of the then chief minister, Devaraj Urs, for the upliftment of backward classes. During Indo-China war, Shetty had served at the Indo-Tibetan border as an officer of Central Intelligence Bureau.

Shetty was one among the first landlords to have given up their own lands for implementing the revolutionaryidea of giving ownership of agricultural lands to farmers who till then, remained as tenants. Shetty, who was a leader of both JDS and Congress, happens to be a simple man with gentle manners. He likes to put up his thoughts in simple and straightforward manner, and has always striven for the welfare of backward classes.

This year's 'D Devaraj Urs Award' function is being held on the 99th birth anniversary of the late D Devaraj Urs, an illustrious chief minister of Karnataka, who earned fame for implementing various schemes for the poor and the downtrodden.