Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday called upon people not to heed the demand for division of Karnataka and said his government is committed for overall development of the State.
Speaking after presenting 59th Kannada Rajyotsava awards at a function organised at Ravindra Kalakshetra, he slammed those who have been talking about division of the State, saying that such people are doing so for political and selfish reasons.
“Vested interests are trying to mislead people in the name of development. My government is ready to discuss all issues related to development, and it has been making efforts to set right regional imbalance as per the recommendation of Nanjundappa report,” he added.
He said Kannadigas should be proud of their language. They should not only use the language in their every day life but should also make others learn it. “We as Kannadigas should be proud of our language and strive to promote and develop it. Development of Kannada is possible only when we start using it,” he added.
Postal stamps
He also announced that the his government has decided to bring out a postal stamp of 59 personalities who have got the Rajyotsava awards this year. The Postal department has already given its permission for this purpose, he added.
Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree said the government has urged the Centre to set up a separate institute for conducting research on Kannada as classical language. To this, Union Fertilizer Minister Ananth Kumar assured that he will coordinate and get the necessary permissions within a month.
Ananth Kumar also congratulated the government for selecting able persons for the Rajyotsava awards. Selection of names for the awards this year has not invited any criticism.