Highlights: Karnataka budget creates 'Namma Canteens', gifts free laptops

A populist, sop-filled budget is on the cards for Karnataka, though the burden on the state treasury will be high. Here are some highlights - 

Agriculture gets Rs 5080 crore as allocation, as a push to help farmers suffering from drought. 

While high-end sports bikes will get more expensive, liquor will be cheaper. Also, the budget proposes a limit of Rs 200 on Multiplex tickets. New airports will be built in Karwara, Madikeri and Chikkamagaluru.

A 'Namma Canteen' system has been announced, which will be similar to Jayalalithaa's popular 'Amma Canteens' in Tamil Nadu. The cheap canteen will serve food at a highly discounted rate. The canteen will serve meals for Rs 5 and Rs 10. Similarly, Saviruchi Mobile Canteens will be set up via women's associations across all districts in Karnataka. 

Students in the state have been promised a bonanza, though how much will actually reach them needs to be seen. Female students from 8th to 10th standard will receive shoes, socks and churidars. Free laptops (some 1.5 lakh of them) will be given to 1st year engineering, medical, polytechnic and first college students. 

The 'Ksheera Bhagya', which provides milk to school children, will be increased from 3 days a week to 5 days a week and Anganwadi children will receive eggs for two days of the week. 

On the 'Bhagya' front, 'Anna Bhagya', distribution of rice, has been increased from 5 kilos a person to 7 kilos a person. 'Anila Bhagya', an LPG subsidiary, has been created with Rs 1600 going to each beneficiary.  The free LPG scheme has been expanded to include 5 lakh more poor families. 

Also in the education sector, approval has been granted for a Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics, a new Rachiur university will be established and 25 polytechnic colleges will be set up in rural areas. 

For Bengaluru - The Steel Flyover has been shelved, so the widening of Hebbal flyover and an underpass will be undertaken, at the cost of Rs 88 crore. The BDA will build some 3000 flats to decrease housing shortage in the city. The BMTC will add 3000 more buses to its fleet, with some 150 being electric. Some 150 kms of roads will be built in the city to reduce traffic congestion. 

• Karnataka budget