Budget: CM Siddaramaiah says fiscal deficit maintained, special focus on Bengaluru infra

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while presenting the Budget on Friday, claimed that the state government has maintained fiscal deficit of the state for the financial year 2025-26.

The total expenditure estimated for the financial year 2025-26 is Rs 4,09,549 crore which includes revenue expenditure of Rs 3,11,739 crore, capital expenditure of Rs 71,336 crore and loan repayment of Rs. 26,474 crore.

According to the Budget, for the financial year 2025-26, revenue deficit is estimated to be Rs 19,262 crore, which is 0.63 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Fiscal Deficit is estimated to be Rs 90,428 crore, which is 2.95 per cent of GSDP. Total liabilities at the end of 2025-26 are estimated to be Rs 7,64,655 crore, which is 24.91 per cent of GSDP.

“By keeping fiscal deficit and total outstanding liabilities within the limits mandated under Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, we have maintained fiscal discipline in the financial year 2025-26”, the Chief Minister said.

The government, in this Budget, has given priority to basic infrastructure in Bengaluru city and announced measures to battle traffic congestion in the city. In this budget, the yearly grant of Rs 3,000 crore which was being provided to Bengaluru city, has been enhanced to Rs 7,000 crore in the upcoming financial year. Additionally, a new Special Purpose Vehicle will be established to utilise these grants and implement major developmental works on priority.

According to the Budget, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has yielded an additional revenue of Rs 4,556 crore through various reforms and substantially increasing property tax collection. The government has stood guarantee to the BBMP for an amount of Rs 19,000 crore for undertaking the North-South and the East-West corridors (tunnels) at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore.

To mitigate vehicular congestion and to ensure smooth traffic movement on major roads of Bengaluru, a 40.5 km double decker flyover will be constructed at a cost of Rs 8,916 crore along with Namma Metro Phase-3 project.

A network of 300 kms additional roads will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3,000 crores utilising canal buffer zones. The arterial and sub-arterial road network in BBMP area measuring 460 km will also be developed at a cost of Rs 660 crore. Flyovers and grade separators of 120 km length will be built in Bengaluru.

In order to strengthen the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ Plan, Rs 1,800 crore have been set aside for 21 schemes during the FY 2024-25. A ‘Comprehensive Health Programme’ will be implemented over the next three years under Brand Bengaluru Plan at a cost of Rs 413 crore with the goal of making a cost of Bengaluru a city of global health standards.

The state Budget 2025-26 has also given specific focus to minorities. To provide formal education along with religious education in madrasas, computers, smart boards and other necessary basic facilities will be provided to the students to prepare them for writing SSLC examination through NIOS.

Minority youth will be encouraged to launch new startups through Karnataka Minority Development Corporation. For repair and renovation of Waqf properties and for providing infrastructure and protection of Muslim burial grounds an amount of Rs 150 crore has been provided.

The Chief Minister further stated, “An Action Plan for Rs 1,000 crores has been prepared under ‘Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Programme’. Works will be implemented in the FY 2025-26”. The government also announced construction of an additional building in Haj Bhavan at Bengaluru to provide with facilities and amenities to Haj pilgrims and their relatives.

Grants worth Rs 100 crore have been earmarked for the Comprehensive development of Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities. Funds of Rs 250 crore will be provided for the development of Christian community. A Sannati Development Authority will be established in the ancient Buddhist centre of Sannati in Chittapura taluk of Kalaburgi district.

The honorarium given to Jain priests, chief grantis of Sikhs and Pesh-Imams of mosques will be enhanced to Rs 6,000 per month. The honorarium given to Assistant Granti and Muezzin has been increased to Rs 5,000 per month. (ANI)