Mangalore: State Minister for Ports and Mujrai Kota Srinivas Poojari has said that the state government has accorded top priority towards development of backward classes and has earmarked Rs 1000 crore for their welfare during the current year.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 97th birth anniversary celebrations of former chief minister D Devaraj Urs at the Damodar R Suvarna Auditorium of Sri Narayan Guru College in Mangalore on August 20, Monday under the auspices of the DK and Udupi District Backward Classes Forum. The minister garlanded the portrait of Devaraj Urs and paid his respects.

The minister further said the scholarships being provided to children of backward classes has been increased significantly. The minister said of the 34,266 temples under the Mujrai Department, 26000 were in distress and that steps would be taken to develop them.

The Minister was felicitated on behalf of the Forum on the occasion. Naveen Chandra D Suvarna, President of the DK and Udupi Districts Backward Classes Forum, presided over the function. Several BC leaders including M Ramanatha, M Venkatesh Gatti, B Nonaiah Kottari, M Sanjeeva Shettigar and others were present on the occasion.