H. C. Srikantaiah

H. C. Srikantaiah
Minister of Revenue Government of Karnataka
In office 11 October 1999 – 28 May 2004
Chief Minister	S.M Krishna
Preceded by	D. Manjunath
Succeeded by	M.P Prakash
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 2 December 1989 – 13 March 1991
Preceded by	H.N Nanje Gowda
Succeeded by	H.D Deve Gowda
Constituency	Hassan
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly for Shravanabelagola (Karnataka Assembly constituency)
In office 1972–1985
Preceded by	S. Shivappa
Succeeded by	N. Gangadhar
Constituency	Shravanabelagola
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly for Shravanabelagola
In office 1999–2004
Preceded by	C.S Putte Gowda
Succeeded by	C.S Putte Gowda
Constituency	Shravanabelagola
Member of Karnataka Legislative Council
In office 1986–1989
Personal details
Born	(1926-07-18)18 July 1926 Hirisave, Mysore State, British India
Died	12 March 2011(2011-03-12) (aged 84) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Resting place	Hirisave, Karnataka
Political party	Indian National Congress until 2009 ; Bharatiya Janata Party 2009-2011
Spouse(s)	Late. Nagamma (m. 1948)
Children	3 Sons, 5 Daughters H.S Chandru (son), H.S Ravi Kumar (son), H.S Vijay Kumar (son) H.S Prabha (daughter), H.S Vasantha (daughter), H.S Indira (daughter), H.S Sudha (daughter), H.S Suma (daughter)
Parent(s)	Late Patel Chowdegowda and Late Rangamma
Residence	Bangalore, Karnataka
Nickname(s)	Annaiah (Big Brother)

Hirisave Chowdegowda Srikantaiah alias Annaiah (Big Brother) (18 July 1926 - 12 March 2011) was a senior Indian politician with the Indian National Congress party and a Member of Parliament of 9th Lok Sabha. He was elected to Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shravanabelagola assembly constituency in Hassan from 1972-1985 and from 1999-2004. He was a Minister in Government of Karnataka in cabinets of Devaraj Urs, Veerendra Patil and S.M Krishna holding portfolios such as Revenue, Urban Development, Cooperation, Home, Power, Forest, Minor Irrigation, Public Works and Municipal Administration.

Early life and family

H.C Srikantaiah was born in Hirisave village of Channarayapatna taluk in Hassan district of the erstwhile Mysore State (in present-day Karnataka). He married Nagamma in 1948. They had 3 sons and 5 daughters. He is from the Vokkaliga community in Karnataka. His eldest son H. S. Chandru passed away on 29 December 2020 in Bangalore. He was survived by son H. C. Lalithraghav and a daughter.

Political career

H.C Srikantaiah began his political career by winning as an independent candidate from Shravanabelagola assembly constituency in Hassan in 1972. He later joined Indian National Congress and won continuously until 1985. He was a member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1972-1985 and from 1999-2004. He rose to be one of the most respected and revered leaders of the state and was popularly known as 'Annaiah' meaning 'Big Brother, Srikantaiah was a Minister in Karnataka for almost 20 years. In 1980, Srikantaiah narrowly missed becoming the Chief Minister following his key role in garnering the support of 80 MLAs to defect Congress (U) formed by Devaraj Urs to the faction which was loyal to late prime minister Indira Gandhi. But luck was not in his side as Gundu Rao became the CM with the help of his links in Delhi, particularly Sanjay Gandhi. He was the Minister for Cooperation in Gundu Rao ministry After spending nearly four decades in the Indian National Congress, Srikantaiah, considered one of the Vokkaliga strongmen, joined the BJP ahead of 2009 Parliament elections.

Key Contributions

Computerization of Land Records (Bhoomi Scheme)

During his tenure of Revenue Minister of Karnataka (1999-2004), Government of Karnataka launched Bhoomi Scheme - Computerization of Land Records which was a revolutionary work implemented in the state which helped millions of people in the state. The Bhoomi Scheme was the brainchild of H.C Srikantaiah and with the able support of the then Honorable Chief Minister, Sri S.M Krishna, Karnataka was the first state in the Country to implement this scheme.

Abolition of Stamp Papers

The stamp paper piracy was one of the biggest scams in the recent history of the country which has caused huge losses beyond estimation to the state exchequer. The pioneering idea of abolishing the stamp papers and an alternative foolproof system was introduced by Sri. H.C Srikantaiah during his tenure of Revenue Minister. With the able support of the then Honorable Chief Minister, Sri S.M Krishna, Karnataka was the first state in the Country to abolish stamp papers. This saved crores of rupees for the state exchequer.

Death

He died on March 12, 2011 at a private hospital in Bangalore after a prolonged illness. He was 85. He was cremated in his birthplace Hirisave village of Channarayapatna taluk in Hassan district with state honours.