Mangaluru: Minister for Women, Child Development, Kannada and Culture Jayamala categorically said, she was not in the race for a ministerial berth. she also said that she was not into any competition with any women representatives and it is not her tendency to do so.

She said she received the portfolio of women and child development with all humility when it was offered to her, as she considered it to be an opportunity to serve the voiceless.

Stating that she draws her inspiration from former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who gave voice to voiceless, Jayamala said that she has been working for the welfare of neglected women for long and she continues to do so.

“I thank UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AICC President Rahul Gandhi for recognising my calibre and giving me the opportunity,” she added.

The minister said that the total population of the state comprises 50% women, 30% children, 10% disabled and 10% others. It means that a major share of the population is covered by the Department of Women and Child Development.

She asked the Congress workers to bring it to her notice the instances where the government schemes related to her departments, are not reaching the eligible. Immediate action will be taken in such cases, she said.

Jayamala said that she will continue to work towards obtaining Constitutional status to Tulu language. “I have been speaking in the Legislative Council on adding Tulu language to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” she said.

MLC Ivan D’Souza and former MLA Shakuntala Shetty requested the minister to provide more funds for linguistic academies.

New buildings should be sanctioned to Beary and Konkani academies, they
said.

Stating that the Kannada and Culture Department will work for the development of all linguistic academies, Minister Jayamala responded that the government has sanctioned an additional fund of Rs 10 lakh to each linguistic department.

She said she will take a note of the proposal submitted towards the sanction of own buildings for linguistic academies. However, she said cannot assure the same as there is a shortage of funds for new buildings.

Also, she said she will make an effort to get a Rangamandira sanctioned for Dakshina Kannada district.

Former Ministers B Ramanath Rai, K Abhayachandra Jain, Karnakata Tulu Sahitya Academy Chairperson A C Bhandary, District Congress Committee President Harish Kumar, district Mahila Congress President Shalet Pinto, leaders Suresh Ballal and Mohan P V were present.