Karnataka Marks Birth Centenary of Former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde

The birth centenary of former Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde was marked today, recalling his foundational role in governance reforms, institutional accountability, and decentralisation across the state.

Hegde, who served as Chief Minister from 1983 to 1988, later served as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and as a Union Minister. His tenure in Karnataka was noted for major administrative and democratic initiatives, including landmark Panchayat Raj reforms designed to bring power closer to ordinary citizens and rural communities.

Working alongside Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Abdul Nazeer Sab, Hegde secured the passage of the Panchayat Raj legislation despite internal and opposition resistance. Under his leadership, Karnataka became the first state in the country to mandate reservations for women in local governance, reserving 25 per cent of seats in Zilla Parishads and Mandal Panchayats.

His government also established the Karnataka Lokayukta to curb corruption and investigate misuse of public office. To promote the Kannada language in official work, Hegde formed the first Kannada Kavalu Samiti in 1983, leading to the widespread introduction of Kannada typewriters across government departments.

Hegde headed a minority government in 1983 with outside support from both the BJP and Communist parties, maintaining cross-ideological ties while strongly advocating for federalism and constitutional rights for states in Centre-State relations.