Karnataka much ahead of other states in ensuring welfare of people: Chief justice

Mysuru, Sept 27: Karnataka government is much ahead of other states in fulfilling the aspirations of the Constitution and in promoting the welfare of people, according to the High Court Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee.

He was delivering the inaugural address during the national seminar on ‘Constitution-Democracy-Equality: Karnataka A Role Model’, held as part of the Dasara celebrations at the Senate Bhavan in Manasagangothri here on Tuesday.

He said: “Karnataka has always given a platform for one to live peacefully and coordinate with the society. It offers a stage for one to perform, establish a reputation and has a society that enables progressions in the fastest route possible”.

“Karnataka’s pioneering experiment with Panchayat Raj reforms in the 1980s sparked the 73rd amendment of the Constitution. The consequent and continuing wave of devolutions in finance and power trickled down to the grassroots level of administration.

“This emphasis on technology-led growth, coupled with local government reform, is at least in theory, a singularly innovative strategy to address the challenge of generating growth with equity and can be described as the ‘Karnataka model’ of development,” Mukherjee said.

“Reposing confidence in the people in the democratic system is vital. If the confidence of the people is gained, it will go a long way in upholding the principles of democracy and equality. The Constitution is the supreme law of India. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country. It recognises the principle of equality of all persons.”

“The basic feature of the Indian Constitution is protection of fundamental and human rights and universal adult franchise. The government in Karnataka has introduced various schemes and plans and it is a role model in both public and private sectors such as education, industrial development, infrastructure, and healthcare,” he said.