Seers belonging to maths of backward classes and Dalits on Saturday urged Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda to allocate Rs. 1,000 crore in the State budget for 2012-13 for the uplift of their communities.
A delegation of seers held discussions with Mr. Gowda at his official residence and presented their proposal to the government. Later, the seers told media persons that the Chief Minister had responded positively to several demands and is expected to announce schemes for the welfare of the backward classes and Dalits in the budget to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 21.
State Bharatiya Janata Party president K.S. Eshwarappa said the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had allocated Rs. 700 crore in the State budget for 2011-12 and Mr. Gowda had promised Rs. 1,000 core in his maiden budget for the backward classes.
To miss meet
The Chief Minister, who was busy campaigning for the party candidate in the byelections to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat, is unlikely to participate in a convention to be organised by loyalists of Mr. Yeddyurappa in Hubli on Sunday.
The loyalists have billed the convention as a show of strength of Mr. Yeddyurappa.
Mr. Gowda told media persons that he would be touring various places in the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency on Sunday and “if possible” he would attend the convention.
Mr. Eshwarappa also said that he would try his best to attend the convention.
