Bengaluru: Former Minister Thippeswamy (73) has been selected for the Sri Maharshi Valimiki Jayanti Award, instituted by the State government for the year 2017-18.
“The award will be presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a function on Thursday,’’ Minister for Social Welfare H Anjaneya told reporters here on Wednesday.
The minister said Thippeswamy was selected by a committee under Prof. Sukanya Maruthi of Dharward. “The committee held two meetings. It has received 26 applications but only 24 were considered since two were rejected due to some reasons. The committee also considered the services of those leaders who have not applied for the award. Thippeswamy, who is selected for the award, has not applied for the award,’’ Prof. Sukanya Maruthi said.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh and a citation, which will be presented to Thippeswamy by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a function, scheduled to be held at Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.
Born on May 24, 1944, Thippeswamy hails from Bharamasagara of Challakere taluk in Tumakuru district and served as the Minister in the Janata Party government headed by late Chief Minister Deve Gowda and J.H. Patel and he held portfolios of excise and minor irrigation.
Owing to his efforts, various communities such as Nayak, Nayaka, Beda, Bedar and Valmiki have been included in the Scheduled Tribe community. During his tenure as the excise minister, he undertook state tour and worked for the establishment of Sri Valmiki Gurupeetha at Rajanahalli in Harihara Taluk of Davanagere district.
He has also worked for establishing a welfare directorate for the overall development of Scheduled Tribes in the state.
He has played a key role in supplying drinking water to Challakere taluk from Sagar reservoir.
