CM promises Rs 1,000 crore for mutts, temples, Ram Mandir at Ramanagara

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday presented the State Budget for the financial year 2023-24, the last of the current BJP regime, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

In his Budget speech, the CM promised that a gigantic Ram Mandir will be constructed in Ramanagara district and stated that Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for mutts and temples. However, there will be no direct grants but will be channelled through the Hindu Religious Institutions And Charitable Endowments Department for restoration and development work over the nest two years.

“In the next two years, comprehensive development and renovation of various temples and mutts will be undertaken by our government with an expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore”, Bommai said. A grant of Rs 425 crore grant was allocated for the renovation of temples and mutts by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in 2022-23.

The Chief Minister also that the budget will help the state for the next 25 years of Amrithakal. “Huge investment has been attracted in World Economic Forum held in Davos and the Global Investors Meet organised in Bengaluru. Karnataka has been recognized as a state with highest achievement in Ease of Doing Business by the Department of Industries and Investment Promotion, Government of India. Construction of airports in different districts, speedy implementation of railway projects and priority for optimum utilisation of inland water ways, importance given to development of ports will create conducive environment for the economic growth of the state in the days to come”, he said.

The CM further said that the provisional estimate of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) released for the year 2021-2022 by the National Statistical Office showed that the state’s economy has recovered beyond pre-Covid level. “The Directorate of Economics and Statistics has reported in its advance estimates that the State has recorded a growth of 7.9% in 2022-2023. An overview of sector-wise growth has revealed that growth in service sector and industrial sectors has mainly contributed for economic growth of the state. Compared to the previous year, in the year 2022-2023, the services sector has recorded a growth of 9.2 per cent and industrial sector at 5.1 per cent. The agriculture sector has seen a growth of 5.5 per cent. As a result of this, per capita income in the state has increased from Rs 2.04 lakh to Rs 3.32 lakh”, he noted.

Bommai said the state has been maintaining the fiscal parameters prescribed in the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002, except for a few years during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The state’s economic position suffered severely due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hence, parameters of Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act could not be complied with. But, it was possible to take the state’s economy again on the path of progress. On account of concerted efforts of our government, I am presenting a revenue surplus Budget for the year 2023-24 complying with all the parameters of Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002” he said.

Agriculture and Allied Activities

• Limit of interest free short-term loan given to farmers increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from this year. Loans of Rs 25,000 crore will be distributed to more than 30 lakh farmers.
• Additional subsidy of Rs 10,000 in the year 2023-2024 under the new scheme ‘Bhoo siri’ for Kisan credit card holders; This will benefit around 50 lakh farmers.
• Life insurance to 56 lakh small and marginal farmers under Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojane at a cost of Rs.180 crore
• 300 hi-tech harvesters to be provided in phased manner to Krishi Yanthradhara Centres of Agriculture Department. In 2023-24, Rs 50 crore will be provided for 100 hi-tech harvesters at a cost of Rs.50 lakh each.
• A new programme in collaboration with ISRO to incorporate geo-spacial technology in digital farming at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
• Under the ‘Mukhyamanthri Raitha Unnathi Yojane’, interest subvention will be provided for loans up to Rs 10 lakhs taken through banks for a term of 5 years.
• As part of the International Year of Millets, incentive of Rs 10,000 per hectare will be provided to minor millets growers under ‘Raithasiri’ scheme’.
• 1,000 lakes will be developed in the state under ‘Sahasra Sarovara’ programme. Under ‘Sahyadri Siri’, development works will be taken up in Coastal, Malenadu and semi-Malenadu areas for conservation of water in summers; For these two projects a grant of Rs.75 crore is earmarked.
• To improve underground water level, a new scheme, ‘Jalanidhi, to be launched wherein water conservation works. Under this, all farmers will be encouraged to construct farm ponds in their own land by converging with MGNREGA scheme.
• Through KAPPEC (Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation) ‘Raitha Sampada’ programme will be initiated to promote processing and export of agricultural and horticultural produce at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
• ‘One farm One crop’ scheme will be implemented in the 12 horticulture farms of the department. According to the agro climatic conditions, suitable crops will be identified and research and demonstration will be carried out to enhance productivity. One time grant of Rs 10 crore to be provided for this.
• Apical Root Culture Technology will be introduced at reasonable price to farmers to achieve self-reliance in potato seed cultivation.
• Assistance of Rs.10 crore will be provided to Agriculture and Horticulture Research Centre at Theerthahalli to develop new technology for the management of diseases affecting arecanut crops and also to enhance productivity.
• Improvised Sandalwood species will be grown in the farms under Horticulture Department and will be distributed to the farmers.
• Horticulture college will be established in Tiptur, Tumakuru district.
• Rs 100 crore grant will be allocated to Karnataka Grapes and Wine Board to assist grape growers in various activities.
• Mulberry cultivation will be extended to another 10,000 acres.
• For the benefit of silk growers in Kolar, Chikkabalapur and neighbouring districts, hi-tech cocoon market will be constructed in
  Shidlaghattam the second biggest cocoon market in Asiam at the cost of Rs 75 crores with NABARD assistance.
• Assistance of Rs 10 crore will be provided to establish 32 automatic reeling units; Rs 12 crore is earmarked to provide shredders to 1,000 silk growers.
• Grant of Rs 8 crore for strengthening the infrastructure in Mysuru seed area to support continuous production and supply of cocoon seeds.
• Grant of Rs 5 crore for installation of hot air conveyor dryer in 10 major silk growing areas of the state for long-term preservation of cocoons.
• Grant of Rs 90 crore for establishment of 1 lakh litres capacity Mega Dairy at Haveri. During the current year, in order to increase milk production in Kalyana Karnataka area, a mega dairy will be established in Ballari district with milk processing capacity of 2 lakh litres per day at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
• Under Amrith Swabhimani Kurigahi Yojane, a scheme for establishment of Sheep and Goat units is being implemented at an expenditure of Rs 355 crore for 20,000 beneficiaries.
• To prevent violence on animals and for the welfare of animals, a grant of Rs 5 crore will be provided to Animal Welfare Board. Mobile veterinary clinics will be launched by the Board in Bengaluru for the treatment of deserted animals.
• To develop Mudhol Hound dog breed, a grant of Rs. 5 crore will be provided.
• Online software will be developed for taking care of stray dogs and to enable the public to adopt them.
• 62 FFPO (Fish Farmer Producers Organisation) to be set up help the fishermen.
• Artificial Reefs will be established at different places in coastal districts under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
• Grant of Rs 20 crore to encourage stocking of high-quality fish seeds (Ranching).
• New Fish Seed Production and Rearing Farm Centre will be established in Haveri district to encourage fish farming in North Karnataka areas.
• Eco-friendly three wheeler vehicles will be provided for the sale of fish.
• GPS communication system developed by ISRO will be fitted to all the mechanized fishing boats with a grant of Rs.17 crore.
  Subsidy of Rs 50,000 each to the fishermen for converting their boats to petrol/biesel-based Outboard Motor Engine within next 2 years; Rs40 crores will be provided for this purpose in the current year. Kerosene subsidy to be continued for the next 2 years till the completion of this process.
• Diesel being supplied tax-free to the boats of fishermen will be increased 1.5 lakh kilolitres to 2 lakh kilolitres. Fishermen will get assistance of Rs.250 crore from the state government.
• For the first in the state, a special scheme, ‘Matsya Siri’, has been formulated by integrating with Pradhana Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to provide 100 Deep sea fishing boats.
• Prawn farming clusters will be established in Yadagir, Raichur and Ballari districts
• Seafood park will be established under Public Private Partnership (PPP) at Kambadakone in Byndur taluk.
• Revolving fund for procuring the food grains under MSP operations will be enhanced to Rs 2,000 crore. At present, revolving fund is Rs1,000 crore and an additionality of Rs 1,000 crore has been provided in the year 2022-23. This will be increased to Rs 3,500 crore by providing Rs. 1,500 crore in the current year.
• International level hi-tech flower market in Chikkaballapur and modern technology-based retail flower market will be established in Bengaluru and Haveri.
• Under the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Har Kheth Ko Paani (PMKSY-HKKP), 138 Surface Minor Irrigation works to be taken up in drought-prone districts of Yadagir and Kalaburagi at a cost of Rs 443 crore.
• Sasalatti-Shivalingeshwara, Manturu Mahalakshmi and Shri Venkateshwara Lift irrigation schemes and Purigali Micro irrigation scheme to be completed.
• Rs 1,000 crore to commence the works on Kalasa-Bandoora poject.
• Online Project Management System will be commenced for supervising the progress of projects under the jurisdiction of the Corporations and to make online bill payments directly to the contractors.
• A total grant of Rs 39,031 crore has been provided in the year 2023-24 to the Agriculture and allied activities sector.

Welfare and Inclusive Growth

• New programmes formulated for the overall development of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward Classes and Minority communities, apart from the existing ones.
• Monthly honorarium of anganawadi worker, cooks and assistants under mid-day meals, ASHA workers and librarians will be increased by Rs. 1,000.
• Rs 725 crore provided for 10.32 lakh children under Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme. The scheme will be extended to the children of tailors during the current year.
• To enable all children who pass out of high schools to continue their higher education, they will be provided with free education in Government Pre-University and Government Degree Colleges under ‘CM Vidya Shakti Scheme’. This will benefit 8 lakh students.
• ‘Makkala Bus’ scheme to be launched through which an additional 1,000 schedules will be operated through Road Transport Corporations at a cost of Rs.100 crore. This will benefit additional 2 lakh students every year.
• Under the Viveka programme, 7,601 classrooms being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,194 crore. Approval has been given to construct additional 1,955 rooms at a cost of Rs.382 crore under various other programmes of the department. In total, the record number of construction of 9,556 classrooms at the cost of Rs.1,576 crore will be completed.
• New Centrally-sponsored scheme PM SHRI will be implemented at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
• To meet the requirement of toilets in all schools and colleges through the construction of 7,750 toilets, action has been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.250 crore in convergence with NREGA. Under this scheme, 2,169 toilets will be completed by the end of March 2023. The remaining 5,581 toilets will be constructed in the year 2023-24. A total of Rs.80 crore has been allocated for this, and out of this Rs.50 crore has been provided to the aspirational taluks.
• In the current year, 1,230 additional rooms will be constructed; 2,777 rooms will be repaired which are old and damaged due to heavy rains; Construction of additional toilets in schools and colleges where there is higher admission; Construction of additional 260 classrooms in Government Pre-University Colleges; Developing one Pre-University College in each of selected 60 taluks as model Pre-University Colleges by providing essential infrastructure in Science Education; Construction of dormitories in 30
  Kasturba Gandhi Girls Hostels, repair of 47 residential schools and development of Smart Classrooms.
• Grant of Rs 135 crore to increase learning standards and improve results in Aspirational taluks by providing quality education; To encourage scientific temper and inquisitiveness in students, ‘Srushti’ tinkering laboratories will be established at a cost of Rs15 crore in the 73 Karnataka Public Schools and 50 Adarsha Vidyalayas; Grant of Rs 100 crore will be provided for the construction of new Schools in the 23 taluks which do not have Karnataka Public School and for the development of functional 46 schools; Strengthening of libraries and establishment of Reading Corners will be undertaken by providing books, newspapers and periodicals at a grant of Rs.20 crore in 24,347 schools; A new scheme ‘Abhyudaya’ will be launched in association with JPAL for taking up supplementary teaching to the students of Grades 8 and 9 with an aim to improve the results of SSLC.
• 7 new Universities have been established in Bidar, Haveri, Chamarajanagar, Bagalkot, Kodagu, Koppal and Hassan districts and Mandya University has been converted into Integrated University. In this year, a new University will be established in Chikkamagaluru. Polytechnic at Bankapura, Shiggaon taluk, will be upgraded to an Engineering college
• Government Engineering Colleges at Bengaluru, Haveri, Hassan, KR Pet, Talakal, Ramanagara and Karwar have been identified for upgradation as Karnataka Institute of Technology (KIT) on the lines of IITs in the next five years; Rs.50 crore has been provided for the purpose of taking-up the development works.
• To eliminate language barriers in higher education and to enable writing the exams in all universities and professional courses of Karnataka in Kannada also, widely used reference books and syllabus to be translated within the next one year.
• Science division will be started by providing necessary infrastructure in 100 selected degree colleges in the state under Prof C N R Rao Science Programme.
• Under ‘Halli Muthu’ scheme, the entire fee will be borne by Karnataka Examination Authority for 500 excellent students who have completed their school education in rural Government Kannada medium schools and got selected for professional courses in government quota through CET.
• Feasibility study will be conducted for declaring the area within 5 km from the centre of Bengaluru city and having heritage and
  educational institutions as Heritage and Educational District.
• A new polytechnic will be established at Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumkur district.
• Approval has been accorded to establish 438 Namma Clinics in the urban areas of the State and 272 Namma Clinics have started
  functioning already. 53 out of 128 Women Wellness Centres approved in the last year have been completed.
• Existing Community Health Centres in Khanapura, Anekal, Shirahatti, Sringeri, Yelandur, Nelamangala and Hoskote taluks, which do not have taluk hospitals, will be upgraded to 100 bedded hospitals in a phased manner.
• 50-bed Critical Care blocks in the hospitals of Kolar, Bagalkot, Yadgir, Gadag, Chikkamagaluru, Ramanagara, Vijayanagara and Doddaballapur and 100-bed Critical Care blocks in Tumakuru and Bengaluru will be established under PM-ABHIM to provide tertiary care.
• A new Mother and child hospital will be established in Savanur of Haveri district.
• A new scheme will be implemented to fight anaemia with multi-dimensional interventions. Rs.100 crore is provided for the intended tests, treatment, public awareness and training under this scheme to eradicate anaemia and malnutrition among neonates, children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers and women of reproductive age (15-49 years).
• Health camps will be organised twice a year in villages through the local Primary Health Centres under ‘Mane Manege Arogya’. 2023-24.
• Karnataka Mental Health programme will be extended to the entire State at a cost of Rs.25 crore in collaboration of NIMHANS.
• Extensive testing and screening camps, called ‘Jeevasudhe’, will be organised throughout the state to detect breast, oral and cervical cancer. A grant of Rs.12 crore will be provided for the purchase of equipment required for detection of Cancer.
• Free dialysis services to be increased from 60,000 cycles to one lakh dialysis cycles.
• ‘Vatsalya’ scheme to conduct health check-up of children upto 6 years of age, twice a year in rural areas.
• New ‘Nagu Magu’ vehicles will be provided at a cost of Rs.12.5 crore to provide transport facilities to neonates and mothers who have delivered in the taluk hospitals of the state to reach their homes safely.
• 129 taluk laboratories, district laboratories in all districts and state referral laboratory in Bengaluru will be established to provide the laboratory services locally and at affordable prices for the public.
• IVF Clinics will be commenced in the four Institutes of Medical Sciences of Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru and Kalaburagi at a cost of Rs 6 crore.
• Automatic and centralized Blood Bank Management System will be established at a cost of Rs 5 crore in Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institution.
• Nation’s first public hospital dedicated for Organ Transplant to be set up in the premises of NIMHANS at a cost of Rs146 crore.
• ‘Shrama Shakthi’ scheme being launched under which financial assistance of Rs.500 per head per month will be provided to landless women farm labourers through DBT.
• To enable women to start profitable home-based factories, free skill development training will be provided to 1 lakh women
  in the current year.
• Malnutrition, anaemia and low weight in eligible to be addressed through ‘Arogya Pushti’.
• Free bus pass facility to all women working in the organized sector. Rs 1,000 crore will be provided to this scheme which will benefit 30 lakh women.
• Free bus pass facility to all school and college girl students at a cost of Rs 350 crore under ‘Vidhya Vahini’ Scheme. 8 lakh girl students will benefit.
• To strengthen the police system in Bengaluru city, 2,000 additional posts will be created at various levels.
• AIIMS hospital to be constructed in Raichur
• A sum of Rs. 11,236 crore have been allocated for drinking water purposes.
• Rs. 180 crore have been allocated to the Jeevan Jyoti Yojana.
• Rs. 150 crore have been given for traffic control in Bengaluru.
• The CM said that 75 junctions will be developed for traffic management. It is the Chief Minister’s master plan for traffic management, said the CM.
• Traffic signals will be managed with smart technology.
• Artificial intelligence Will be used in Bengaluru traffic Management.
•  The loan limit for an interest-free loan for farmers has been increased from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs.
•  Rs. 1813 crore are allocated for the cluster and drainage management.
• 277 kilometres of the smart lane ring road will be built. The elevated road from Krishnarajapuram to Medahalli will be built for Rs. 350 crore.
•  50 lakh people will be provided with Cauvery water, and for that Rs 5,550 crore funds will be given.
•  Sluice gate will be fixed in almost all lakes in Bengaluru to manage the flood life situation in the city.
• A scheme of grant of insurance of Rs.2 lakh in case of death and another Rs.2 lakh in case of death due to accident, total of Rs.4 lakh insurance facility will be formulated under ‘Mukhya Mantri Vima Yojane’ to provide security to dependents of auto drivers, taxi drivers, lorry drivers and delivery persons in the e-commerce.
• Automated testing track at a cost of Rs 85 crores from the Road Safety Fund in Tumakuru, Haveri, Yelahanka, Kasturi Nagar, Sakleshpura, KGF, Chintamani, Sagara, Gokak, Ranebennur, Dandeli, Sirsi and Balki.
• To promote the use of electric vehicles and reduce the air pollution, charging stations to be set up in government offices and the depots of transport corporations from the green tax fund.
• A tourist circuit will be commenced in this year consisting of the historical land marks of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru city.
• Tourist facilities will be developed at Sooragondanakoppa of Davanagere district, the birth place of Saint Sevalal, at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
• The tomb of Shahaji Maharaj at Hodigere in Channagiri taluk of Davanagere district will be developed at a cost of Rs.5 crore and basic amenities will be provided.
• The 12th century historical Nagareshwara temple with 101 pillars constructed in Bankapura of Haveri district will be developed as a tourist spot.
• To encourage tourism in the Nandi Hill Station of Chikkaballapur district, construction works of the ropeway under Public Private Partnership will be completed in the current year.