CM Siddaramaiah readies to present 14th budget tomorrow; no hike in taxes likely

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all set to present a fresh budget for 2023-24 on Friday, which will be is 14th, a record of sorts.

In February this year, then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP had presented a budget with an outlay of Rs 3.09 lakh crore and it is expected that Siddaramaiah will not increase any taxes when he presents his budget on Friday. However, the outlay may increase to Rs 3.30-3.40 lakh crore.

The CM is expected to make budgetary provision for the five Congress guarantees in the budget and could raise revenue targets for the various departments like excise, transport, stamps and registration, etc., without burdening the common man with additional taxes.

The budget will also signal the present government’s priorities with an AHINDA touch and increase in grants to minorities, which had been reduced by the previous BJP government. Also, two new scheme are expected to be announced. It is also expected that the Krishi Bhagya and Pashu Bhagya schemes, which were implemented during 2-13-18 will be brought back.

The budget is expected to allocate Rs 10,000 crore for the Anna Bhagya scheme, Rs 30,000-35,000 crore for Gruha Lakshmi, Rs 10,000-12,000 for Gruha Jyothi and Rs 3,000-4,000 crore for the Shakti scheme. For the Yuva Nidhi scheme, about Rs 1,000 crore is expected to be set aside.

The CM is also expected to make an announcement on the reopening of the Indira Canteens while also allocating funds for it. It is also expected that the remuneration for anganwadi workers, widow and old age pensions will be hiked. Unwanted expenses will be cut and diverted towards funding the five guarantees.