Karnataka Budget

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to present his 15th budget, with a surge in size to Rs 3.70 lakh crore for 2024-25. Expectations include funding for major projects, special grants for development, support for essential workers, social welfare initiatives, education and healthcare schemes, infrastructure, and financial considerations.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, an atheist, inaugurated a Ram temple in Bengaluru, allocating Rs 100 crore for ancient Ram temple refurbishment in response to BJP's Ayodhya event. Political analysts see this as a Congress strategy for electoral gain, with potential plans for Ayodhya projects in the upcoming budget. BJP criticizes Congress as "anti-Hindu."

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to allocate 500 crores in the state budget to establish a medical college in the Govindarajanagar assembly constituency. This marks a historic move for BBMP, shifting from basic healthcare to a high-tech medical college to make medical education more accessible, especially for those with limited resources. 

Karnataka government increases excise duty, causing liquor prices to rise from July 20. Beer faces a 10% tax hike, while Indian-made liquors see an increase of Rs 20 per peg. Popular brands like Haywards Punch and Budweiser are among those affected.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy has come down heavy on the state budget, terming it a cut-and-paste budget without any substantial and meaningful budgetary provisions for critical areas such as irrigation infrastructure and power. At the same time, Kumaraswamy seemed to endorse Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in his comments.
 

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah provides relief to farmers with increased zero-interest loans and introduces the Krishi Bhagya scheme. The horticulture sector receives a boost through promotion of GI-tagged products and investments in disease control measures, storage units, and processing facilities.

The Congress government has taken another step towards fulfilling its promises outlined in its poll manifesto. Demonstrating its dedication to maintaining law and order, the government has emphasized its determination to tackle issues such as moral policing and communalization.

Constituting coastal beach tourism task force for comprehensive development of beach tourism in the three coastal districts, providing Rs 75 crore for development of infrastructure in the Kalyana Karnataka region, developing Mysore Exhibition Authority on the lines of Delhi's Pragati Maidan are some of the salient features of the tourism development announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget 2023.

Karnataka Budget 2023: From this year onwards, a new initiative will be implemented to include Olympic and Paralympic champions in Group-A positions, while Asian and Commonwealth Games victors will be considered for Group-B positions.

Karnataka Budget 2023: Siddaramaiah said that BWSSB will upgrade 20 Sewage Treatment Plants by March, 2026 at a cost of Rs. 1,411 crore. BWSSB will execute this project using their own funds. Once completed, this projects will ensure sustainable management of water supply and protection of natural ecosystem in BBMP limits.

Karnataka Budget 2023: The scheme is expected to encourage livelihood activities like animal husbandry, cottage industry, among others. It is also aimed at reducing the compulsion to work with pregnant women, lactating mothers, women senior citizens and sick women.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah introduces insurance coverage for delivery boys, emphasizing social security. Construction workers will receive subsidies. Healthcare facilities will be enhanced with investments in ESI hospitals, trauma centers, disease diagnosis centres, and AYUSH divisions.

Karnataka Budget 2023: "In memory of Karnataka Ratna, Dr Puneet Rajkumar, Automated External Defibrillators (AED) will be installed in all district and taluk hospitals to aid in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Rs six crore for the project," CM Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking about the state's water resources, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allocated Rs 20,000 crore and the estimated cost of approved works is five times this allocation. He said, "In the last six months, Rs 25,548 crore worth 1,274 projects were approved." 

Karnataka Budget 2023: In terms of students' health and nutrition, Siddaramaiah said that egg/peanut, chikki/banana will be provided twice a week and will be extended to students studying in classes 9 and 10, covering a total of 60 lakh students. Rs 280 crore will be set aside for this.