CM Siddaramaiah presents record 15th budget with Rs 3.71 lakh crore outlay, bonanza for minorities

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his 15th budget with an outlay of Rs 3,71,383 crore and focus on social justice. The budget is billed as the ‘Karnataka model’.

“Social justice is not just our belief, but a broader perspective towards life. The Kayaka and Dasoha principles of Basavadi Sharanas inspire us towards building an equal society. The Sharana philosophy of setting aside a part of one’s earnings for dasoha underpins our hope of achieving an equitable distribution of wealth in society”, the CM said in his speech.

The budget has a bonanza for minorities with Rs 100 crore being earmarked for conservation of wakf properties and Rs 200 crore for the development of the Christian community. Jain pilgrim sites will be developed at a cost of Rs 50 crore while Rs 10 crore has been allocated for a Haj Bhava in Mangaluru. The Sri Nanak gurudwara in Bidar will get Rs 1 crore for development while the government will bear the fee for minority nursing students studying in both government and private colleges.

While there are no new taxes, the slabs for beer pricing have been changed. The budget also proposes 50 Morarji Desai residential schools, 100 post-matric student hostels, 100 Moulana Abul Kalam Azad schools and starting of PU education in 25 schools. Women’s self-help groups will get a grant of Rs 10 crore.

The Siddaramaiah government has also proposed to construct three lakh houses for the poor and start door delivery of foodgrains through an app for those aged over 80 under the Anna Suvidha scheme. The slum development cess is also proposed to be revised.

The budget has earmarked Rs 10 crore for the training of anganwadi assistants and gratuity for anganwadi workers and assistants. A sum of Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the construction of own buildings for 1,000 anganwadis in the state.

Under the Maithri scheme, the monthly pension for transgenders is proposed to be raised from Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 and for Devadasis from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. A special package for former Devadasis has also been envisaged. Those with residential sites but no houses, will also be provided housing.

For the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the budget proposes construction of 31 residential schools in 20 hoblis under the aegis of the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KRIES).

A study chair in honour of Dr Siddalingaiah will be set up at Bangalore University and Rs 5,000 will be provided to ST youths to undergo training in operating drones. Scholarship of Rs 15,000 will be provided to ST graduates for pursing professional courses and Rs 25,000 will be given to 100 ST students to pursue doctoral fellowship. The budget has also set aside Rs 3 crore for providing ration cards to the poor including Hakki-Pikki and Jenu Kuruba tribes.

Animal Husbandry

Under the Amrut Swabhimani Yojana, Rs 10,000 subsidy will be given to shepherd beneficiaries. A marine research centre will be set up at Manki/Kasarkod and a modern fish market will be sent up in Bhadravathi. Aqua parks will also be set up and a fishing port will be constructed at Murudeshwar. A fisheries training centre will also be set up at Almatti and the relief under Matsya Asha Kirana scheme for coastal fishermen will be raised from Rs 1.500 to Rs 2,000.

For the first time in the state, a sea ambulance service will be launched and assistance of Rs 10,000 will be given to fishermen without own houses for construction of houses. Sixteen fish seed production centres will also be upgraded at a cost of Rs 20 crore and Rs 6 crore will be provided to promote fisheries in mining affected areas of Chitradurga, Holakere and Hosadurga taluks.

Agriculture

To encourage integrated agriculture, various schemes related to agricultural sector will be consolidated and a new scheme called Karnataka Raitha Samruddhi Yojane will be started from this year. This scheme will provide the farmers with guidance and support in respect of securing a stable income by taking up comprehensive agriculture inclusive of agriculture, animal husbandry horticulture and dairy farming; selecting crops based on the soil characteristics and market demands, providing information on soil testing and soil characteristics.

Market linkages will be created for farmers to get a good price for their produce. Agriculture Development Authority will be created under the chairmanship of Chief Minister to facilitate effective implementation of policies related to agriculture and allied activities. The Authority will also work towards achieving better coordination between Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Cooperation, and Animal Husbandry.

Krishi Bhagya Yojane has been reintroduced and grants of Rs 200 crore were provided during 2023-24. This scheme will be continued during this year also. In order to preserve locally bred seeds on the verge of extinction, a Community Seed Bank will be established.

A new programme called Namma Millet will be started. Under this programme, processed millets and value-added millets will be made available at affordable prices. The scheme will be implemented with the support of agri-tech companies and retail chains.

The budget also envisages to create 5,000 water bodies over a period of five years to promote sustainable agriculture in drought-affected and rainfed areas of the state and for soil and water conservation. The RK Shala Agricultural Farm in Bengaluru will be developed under public-private partnership as a Knowledge Centre disseminating agricultural techniques. Action will be taken to introduce farmers to the e-SAP software developed by University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur to advise them on pests, diseases and nutrient management.

A separate Food Processing Directorate will be constituted under the Agriculture Department to avoid wastage of agricultural produce and to help farmers in earning a reasonable price for their crops. All food processing schemes under different departments will be converged and implemented effectively through the Directorate.

To promote the export of agricultural and horticultural produce, measures will be taken to strengthen the Karnataka State Agricultural Products Processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC). In the current year, Rs 80 crore is provided under PMFME programme for this purpose.

To promote processing, value addition and export of agricultural and horticultural produce, food parks will be established near airports under Public-Private Partnership. Food parks will be established at Sogane in Shivamogga district, Ittangihala in Vijayapura district and Pujenahalli village in Bengaluru rural district.

A database of traditional agricultural practices will be prepared to forecast crop productivity using modern technologies like satellite pictures, sensors, and machine learning algorithm. An expert committee will be constituted to examine the feasibility of starting an Agriculture University in VC Farm, Mandya district.

Horticulture And Sericulture

Kissan Malls will be opened in select districts to provide farmers with horticulture related technical guidance, market connectivity, farming implements and agro-products under one roof. To promote sales and exports of floricultural crops, a well-equipped commercial floriculture market of international standards will be set up in Bengaluru city under public-private partnership.

In order to boost processing and exports of horticultural products, post-harvest processing centres (Packhouse) and value addition processing units will be established under public-private partnership.

A Spice Park will be developed in Chikkamagaluru district under public-private partnership to encourage spice growing farmers and to promote export of spices. A College of Horticulture Sciences will be established at Alamela in Vijayapura district to encourage growth of horticulture in this region.

Ramanagara and Shidlaghatta, the largest cocoon markets in Asia. will be modernised at a cost of Rs 150 crore in the first phase. Phase-2 will be subsequently taken up at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Raw silk reelers will be provided a subsidy of Rs 12 crore annually in coordination with Karnataka Minority Development Corporation. The incentive of Rs. 10 per kg being currently provided to bivoltine silk cocoon will be enhanced to Rs 30 per kg.

Cooperation

In the current year the targeted lending through the cooperative sector is Rs 27,000 crore. This will benefit more than 36 lakh famers in the state. The government has decided to waive interest on medium and long-term overdue loans of DCC and PICARD banks. This will benefit more than 57,000 farmers.

As a result of this scheme, the DCC/PICARD banks will be able to recover loans to the tune of Rs.496 crore. The government will provide Rs 450 crore of financial assistance by way of compensation to the banks under the scheme. The government has also proposed to bring reservation in management boards of secondary, federal and Apex co-operative societies by amending the Act.

Cold storages will be set up in the APMCs of Yelaburga, Basavana Bagewadi, Ranebennur, Ballari, and Gadag at a total cost of Rs.50 crore. In addition, cold storage units will also be set up in Raichur and Mysuru at the cost of
Rs 40 crore each.

A dry chilli market will be established in Raichur at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore and another chilli market will be started in Ranebennur in the newly developed megamarket developed at a cost of Rs112 crore in 222 acres. A modern agricultural complex will be constructed at Nellikai Road, Mangaluru, at a cost of Rs 35 crore. The APMC Agricultural produce market committees will be digitised at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Bio-CNG plants will be established in markets of Dasanapur of Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubbali, Ballari, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Belagavi under public-private partnership model. These markets will be converted as ‘Zero Waste Vegetables Markets’. Electric vehicles charging centres and petrol bunks will be started in APMCs in public-private- partnership.

New legislation will be enacted to set up the Marketing Development Assistance Fund by obtaining contribution from financially sound APMCs. This fund will be used for the development of financially-stressed APMCs.

Water Resources and Minor Irrigation

Balancing reservoir work will be taken up in the current year under Yettinahole integrated drinking water project along with completing all the lift components under the scheme as well as discharging water into gravity canal. Under the Upper Bhadra project, the state government plans to bring about 75,000 acre of land in Chitradurga district under irrigation.

To address the problem of reduction in water storage capacity of Tungabhadra reservoir due to silt accumulation, a detailed project report has been prepared for constructing a balancing reservoir near Navali in Koppal district at a cost of Rs. 15,600 crore and consultation with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has been started.

A plan to make Brindavan Gardens at the prestigious Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam a world-class tourist attraction will be taken up under public-private partnership. A scheme will be implemented under public-private parntership for installing solar parks in backwaters and lands owned by Water Resources Department on the lines of Pavagada Solar Parks.

In the current year, 115 works of lake development, check dam and bridge-cum-barrage at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore will be taken up to ensure adequate supply of water for drinking purposes, agriculture and industry.

School and Higher Education

The budget has allocated Rs 850 crore for improving infrastructure in government schools and PU colleges. Karnataka Public Schools will be started to provide pre-primary to pre-university education all under one roof, with the help of CSR grants.
The Ganitha-Ganaka programme will be started in collaboration with J-PAL Institute for students studying in 3rd to 5th standards to make them like and learn mathematics. ‘Marusinchana’ programme will be taken up at a cost of Rs10 crore to improve learning ability of students of 6th and 7th standard who are lagging behind.

The budget has earmarked Rs 50 crore for providing Science and Computer Labs and internet facility under a two-year package in Government High Schools with higher enrollment while 2,000 government primary schools will be
upgraded as bilingual schools (Kannada and English). The 74 Adarsh schools in the state will be upgraded as Pre-University Colleges with Commerce and Science combinations. Further, Computer Science combination will be introduced in 100 government pre-university colleges having the highest enrollment, at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
A grant of Rs10 lakh each will be provided to upgrade science labs in pre-university colleges with enrollment of more than 400 in science stream. NEET/JEE/CET Training programme will be organised for about 20,000 students studying in science stream in government Pre-University colleges at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
The government has also decided to provide all government schools and pre-university colleges with free electricity and water facility. This will benefit 46,829 government schools and 1,234 PU colleges of the state and cost the state Rs 25 crore.

The State Education Policy will be implemented based on the report of the commission which was set up to draft a policy to reflect the culture and identity of the state. This year, 30 government women’s first grade colleges and government women’s polytechnics will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 30 crore. In the year 2024-25, Rs.250 crore will be provided for upgradation of first grade degree colleges and Rs 1,20 crore for the upgradation of government polytechnics and engineering colleges.

The University of Vishweshwaraiah College of Engineering (UVCE) in Bengaluru will be upgraded on the lines of IITs at a cost of Rs 500 crore. For this, a grant of Rs.100 crore will be provided by the government. Besides, resources for development of university will be mobilized through CSR fund and contributions from alumni.

To encourage research and innovation among students and teachers, a corpus fund of Rs 10 crore will be set up. This fund will be used to provide technical and financial assistance to students and teachers interested in filing for patents. A mentorship programme by subject experts, civil servants and entrepreneurs for students of Government Polytechnics and Government Engineering Colleges called ‘Prerana’, will be started.

The Maharani Women’s Science College atMysuru will be constructed at the cost of Rs.54 crore and the Maharani Arts And Commerce College Hostel will be constructed at a cost of Rs 116 crore.

Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education

State-of-the-art Critical Care Blocks will be set up in each district to provide better healthcare to patients suffering with critical illnesses. Construction has already started in 15 districts, and in the current year, construction will be taken up in Udupi, Davanagere, Vijayapur, Mysuru, Mandya, Dharwad and Koppal districts at the cost of Rs 187 crore. These Critical Care Blocks will be set up in the remaining nine districts also in the next year.

Taluk hospitals with 100-beds will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 280 crore in Anekal, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Sringeri, Khanapura, Shirahatti and Yelandur taluks and grants of Rs. 75 crore will be provided for repairs and renovation of dilapidated buildings of Health Department. Mother and Child Hospital building and other infrastructure facilities at the premises of KC General Hospital in Bengaluru will be taken up at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

Twenty five Primary Health Centres will be upgraded to Community Health Centres at the cost of Rs 350 crore over the next two years. In the current year, 15 Community Health Centres will be operationalised with necessary human resources while 46 new Primary Health Centres will be set up through KKRDB at a cost of Rs 221 crore. Funds of Rs 130 crore will be provided for the construction of 199 health and wellness centres.

Services of paediatric, critical care medicine and other specialists working in district hospitals and medical colleges will be will be made available to the taluka hospitals through tele-ICU system. Daycare chemotherapy centres will be set up in each of the districts at a total cost of Rs.20 crore. Digital mammography machines will be provided to 20 district hospitals and Colposcopy machines will be provided to KC General Hospital, Bengaluru, and district hospitals of Udupi, Kolar and Davanagere at the cost of Rs 21 crore. In the next two years, STEMI (Severe Heart Attack) treatment will be extended through hub-and-spoke model to all the taluk hospitals. Also, Rs 32 crore will be provided for the procurement of thrombolytic drugs for the treatment of STEMI and Stroke.

Funds of Rs 6 crore will be provided for procurement of 87 True-Nat machines for screening of tuberculosis in Primary Health Centres for achieving the elimination of tuberculosis by 2025. Since there are no blood storage nits in First Referral Units (FRU) of many districts of North Karnataka, 50 new blood storage units will be established in the next two years.

One each Ayurveda diabetes unit will be set up in the four divisions of the state to provide AYUSH treatment to the public for the control of diabetes.

The Medical Education Directorate will be upgraded to a Commissionerate and grant of Rs 400 crore will be provided for the construction and purchase of equipment for medical colleges and Rs 130 crore will be provided for the construction of super- specialty hospitals.

Human Milk Banks have been set up in four districts and three new units will be established in Raichur, Mysuru, Ballari districts during current year. A well-equipped out-patient department building will be constructed in the premises of KR Hospital at a cost of Rs. 75 crore in commemoration of centenary of Mysuru Medical College established by Rajashri Nalvadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar.

Others

The Platform-Based Gig Workers Fund and Welfare Fee Bill will be introduced in order to provide livelihood security to platform-based gig workers. Through this Act, a cess will be levied on eligible online transactions and the money collected will be utilized for the welfare of gig workers.

To provide boarding facilities to building and other construction workers, moving from one place to another, transit hostels will be constructed in 10 districts at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Affordable and secure transit hostels will be set up for students and working women for staying overnight in cities. These lodges will be managed in partnership with women’s self-help groups and urban local bodies. The project will be launched in five cities including Bengaluru in first phase, at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

A State Skill Policy will be framed for effective utilization of human resources of the state and equip the youngster with necessary skills for meaningful employment and also to help them explore entrepreneurial opportunities.

Under Yuvanidhi Plus initiative, job readiness and skills training will be given to 25,000 yuvanidhi beneficiaries under the various ongoing skill courses provided by Skill Development Department. Yuva Samruddi Udyoga Mela will be organised in various parts of the state.

One lakh women SHG will be supported in fisheries, beekeeping, poultry, sheep and goat rearing with forward linkages for marketing for which Rs 100 crore has been allocated.

Fifty women-run Cafe Sanjeevinis will be launched across the state during this year at a cost of Rs7.50 crore. These canteens will cater to the demand and supply gap in rural areas for healthy, hygienic and affordable cooked food and traditional local cuisine.

In collaboration with Coffee Board, one lakh women members of SHGs will be trained as coffee entrepreneurs. Besides, 2,500 Coffee Kiosks, managed exclusively by SHG women, will be set up at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

In order to develop rural road network, Pragati Path scheme will be rolled out with external assistance. Road network of 9,450 km with 50 km each in 189 rural Assembly constituencies will be developed at a cost of Rs.5,200 crore under this scheme.

Under Kalyana Patha scheme, 1,150 km of roads will be developed on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 38 rural Assembly constituencies of Kalyana Karnataka at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

To reduce vehicular congestion and traffic jams, 4.50 km of elevated corridor will be constructed in Belagavi with Central assistance, at a cost of Rs. 450 crore.

To reduce traffic congestion in Mysuru, a flyover will be constructed in collaboration with NHAI in the outskirts of Mysuru, along the Bengaluru-Mandya-Mysuru National Highway.

A new Knowledge, Health Care, Innovation and Research City (KHIR) will be established in 2,000 acres near Bengaluru. The new KHIR City will attract an investment of Rs 40,000 crore and provide employment to about 80,000 people.

An industrial node will be developed near Dharwad on 6,000 acres of land under Bengaluru-Mumbai economic corridor programme in collaboration with the central government to resolve the unemployment problem of North Karnataka and encourage economic development.

A Centre of Excellence (COE) in Fintech, Spacetech and Automotive Tech at a cost of Rs 10 crore will be set up over a period of 5 years in collaboration with entrepreneurs and educational institutions.

New science centers/planetariums will be established at Shivamogga, Raichur, Chikkamagalur, Yadgir and Mysuru with central assistance.

A Sports City with modern and international standards will be established in 70 acres of land available in Bengaluru North taluk under public-private partnership.

Water sports and adventure tourism will be developed in the backwaters of major reservoirs and beaches of coastal areas under public-private-partnership in the state.

To encourage adventure tourism, cable car/ rope way facility will be developed in ten major tourist spots under public-private-partnership.

For pilgrims from Karnataka, well-equipped residential complexes will be constructed at pilgrimage destinations such as Tirumala, Srishaila, Varanasi, Guddapur etc. The construction work undertaken at a cost of Rs 200 crore in Tirumala is nearing completion. The works in Srishaila at a cost Rs 85 crore and at Guddapur at a cost of Rs11 crore are in progress. In the current year, construction work in Varanasi will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

In the wake of increasing deep fake and other cybercrime cases, 43 CEN (Cyber, Economic and Narcotics) police stations will be upgraded with a view to strengthen cybercrime branch.

Automated driving test tracks will be constructed at Udupi, Chikkaballapur, Nelamangala, Madikeri, Madhugiri, Hunasuru at an estimated cost of Rs.36 crore. Seizing yards will be set up at Devanahalli and Tumakuru at a total cost of Rs 10 crore.