Mangaluru: In her maiden visit to the district after her recent elevation to the state cabinet, Women and Child Development Minister Jayamala said that she was committed to work for the empowerment of women and serve the voiceless community sincerely.

Jayamala who is also the leader of the Upper House in Karnataka Legislative Council was speaking at a press conference at the District Congress Office here on July 23. She said, “I never dreamt of being a minister. However, party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi provided me with this opportunity. I really thank all the leaders of the Congress high-command.”

Having shouldered the responsibility of the government department, Jayamala said, she was committed “to serve the voiceless in the society.”

Jayamala, who also holds the portfolio of Kannada and Culture departments, said that the government had sanctioned an additional Rs 10 Lakh to Sahitya academies. Kannada and Culture department is planning to hold surveys to document the good work already done by the Sahitya academies, she said. She also assured of working to include Tulu language in the eighth schedule of Indian constitution and to make effort to start the work of Rangamadir in Mangaluru.

On the preparations to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, an upbeat Jayamala said that Congress party would always be ready to face the parliament elections whether they are held in 2018 or 2019.