Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai seen at the Vidhana Soudha on February 17, 2023. (Special Arrangement)Karnataka Budget 2023 Highlights: A day after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai presented the 2023-24 Budget, critics are pointing out gaps in the speech. Public transport campaigners said that the Budget hardly addresses BMTC issues, while Congress leader DK Shivakumar raised questions about his promise to construct a Ram Mandir.
Bengaluru’s perennial traffic woes and flooding issues were key points addressed in the Budget. (Here’s what CM Bommai announced for Bengaluru in the Budget). Bommai also announced funds to convert government engineering colleges at Bengaluru, Haveri, Hassan, K R Pete, Talakal, Ramanagara and Karwar to Karnataka Institute of Technology (KIT), on the lines of IITs.
Meanwhile, if you are in Bengaluru this weekend, check out the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) located at Kasturba Road in central part of the city. It has over 60,000 artworks ranging from classical art to popular culture on display across four exhibitions.
The couple also provided them with food, shelter, medicines, and spectacles free of cost. (Express Photo)
According to Discovering Bengaluru by Meera Iyer, convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, the building was originally designed by none other than Colonel Richard Sankey of the East India Company, with the wing facing the Vishweshwariah museum dating back to the colonial era. The other wing was built in 1962, along the same lines as the original. (Express Photo by Jithendra M)
Further in, the gallery boasts of a large collection of archaeological artifacts, including items from the Indus Valley Civilisation and Arikamedu archeological site. (Express Photo by Jithendra M)
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to work together in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and other emerging technologies.
The MoU aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and the Indian Institute of Science. It will enable BEL and IISc, Bengaluru, to develop various products and services wherein Artificial Intelligence is embedded and integrated. IISc will provide specialised services in AI and ML for BEL to initiate various projects in terms of the development of R&D solutions, Algorithms, training to BEL engineers, etc.
A query on a museum on Kasturba Road to anyone in Bengaluru would invariably lead to the Vishweshwaraiah Industrial Museum, leaving an impression that the nearby twin-winged Government Museum has faded into oblivion.
The Government Museum housed in a much older building in green and red hues is undoubtedly a reflection of colonial architecture. The museum, though smaller than its more modern counterpart, has a compact collection of historical artifacts spanning 3,000 years. It is also a stone’s throw away from the Karnataka High Court at the edge of Cubbon Park. (Read more)
A fight over parking at a college ground during a cricket tournament resulted in the murder of two youths near Dhoddaballapura’s Doddabelavangala, near Bengaluru, Friday.
According to the police, a group of men drove to a government college ground in a car and parked the vehicle on the ground when a tournament was on. When those present on the ground objected, a confrontation broke out and the car was damaged.
The group left the spot with the car and reached the Doddabelavangala police station to file a complaint but left without filing one. However, soon, their car was attacked once again and they somehow managed to flee. (Read more)
A district court in the Tumkur region of Karnataka has left the onus on the district police to arrest a leader of the right-wing Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) for a communal hate speech he made in the town on January 28 while rejecting his anticipatory bail plea this week.
The court on February 14 rejected VHP secretary Sharan Pumpwell alias Sharan Kumar’s anticipatory bail plea saying that it was for the police to decide the seriousness of the case since Supreme Court orders have stated that arrests are not necessary in a crime where the punishment is below seven years of imprisonment and that arrests are necessary only in exceptional cases. (Read more)
While critics can continue arguing about the diminishing green cover of Bengaluru, naturists and conservationists still believe that the city is home to thousands of species of plants that offer a lifeline to human beings, birds and other species.
According to the horticulture department, Bengaluru is home to close to about 5,000 species of plants. Interestingly, most of these species are found in residential areas, main roads, avenues that many of us tend to miss. However, insights on these diverse species of plants including flowering trees and shrubs actually make one realise the voluminous spread of biodiversity around Bengaluru, which is actually hard to miss. (Read more)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimented the staff at Bandipur Tiger Reserve for saving an electrocuted elephant.
He was responding to a tweet by the Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav, who shared videos of the rescue process. "Happy to see this. Compliments to the staff at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Such compassion among our people is commendable," wrote the Prime Minister.
Here's what the Meterological Centre in Bengaluru has forecast, as of 9 am today.
For 24 hours: Mainly clear sky. Mist is very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Surface winds are likely to be strong at times. Maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 31 and 17 Degrees Celsius respectively.
For 48 hours: Mainly clear sky. Mist is very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Surface winds are likely to be strong at times. Maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 31 and 17 Degrees Celsius respectively.
Congress is intensifying it's election campaign in poll-bound Karnataka with a new 'poster war'. It is pasting 'Kivi Mele Hoova' (flower on the ear) on BJP posters in Bengaluru and Dakshina Kannada districts.
The campaign was pursued aggressively a day after Congress MLAs tucked flowers on their ears inside the assembly floor to show their protest against the unfulfilled promises made by the ruling BJP, reported the news agency PTI.
The Congress stepped up the 'Kivi Mele Hoova' campaign by taking it to the streets now, the party said in a statement.
Here's a quick guide to the key announcements made by CM Bommai for the 2023-24 state Budget.
? From decongesting the traffic to avoiding floods, here’s what Bengaluru gets
? CM Bommai’s outlay keeps temples happy
? Infra boost, model PU colleges, free bus passes on the cards for students
? In the last Budget before the Assembly elections, the Karnataka government woos farmers
? CM Basavaraj Bommai announces 7 IIT-like institutes, new polytechnic colleges
? Free Agniveer coaching, funds for fellowships, sports and hostel facilities for marginalised sections in Karnataka
? Karnataka recorded better growth than the national average; rising debt a concern
? Public transport campaigners of Karnataka unhappy, say Budget hardly addresses BMTC issues
? Ahead of elections, Bommai presents low-key budget despite spike in revenue collection
Days after a 53-year-old businessman went missing from Gokak town in Belagavi district, police have found that two doctors had allegedly killed him over a financial dispute.
The victim has been identified as Rajesh Zawar and the accused are Dr Sachin Shankar Shiragave (36), Dr Shivanand Patil (28) and Shapath (25), a mechanic. Police suspect around 5-6 persons are involved in the murder.
On February 11, Rajesh’s wife Neeta Zawar had filed a missing complaint, saying her husband had gone out the previous day around 8.30 pm, but never returned home. (Read more)
Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV), a volunteer organisation, and other public transport campaigners who rally for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses were disappointed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s Budget and said it hardly addresses the crippling problems of the transport corporation.
Earlier, the bus commuters’ advocacy groups had demanded Bommai to reach the Vidhana Soudha to present the Budget by travelling in a bus. (Read more)
In Budget 2022-23, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced grants for the establishment of new institutes, including seven colleges on the lines of the IITs, polytechnic colleges, and said the government will bear the admission fees of students of Kannada medium schools looking to pursue professional courses at government or private colleges.
As per Prof Sadagopan’s expert committee report regarding the facilities and infrastructure required to convert government engineering colleges at Bengaluru, Haveri, Hassan, K R Pete, Talakal, Ramanagara and Karwar to Karnataka Institute of Technology (KIT), on the lines of IITs, a total of Rs 50 crore has been provided for developmental works. (Read more)
The Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) opened physically for the public in Bengaluru for the first time on Friday with 60,000 artworks ranging from classical art to popular culture on display across four exhibitions at the museum.
The artworks include Indian visual artist LN Tallur’s sculptures in the Chirag-e-AI (Lamp of Artificial Intelligence) exhibit, British sculptor Stephen Cox’s basalt stone sculptures depicting rishis and yoginis, Indian painter and photographer Jyoti Bhatt’s collection of photographs including portraits, traditions, depiction of rural life and abstractions. (Read more)
Aero India 2023, that was being held in Bengaluru, ends.
Aam Aadmi Party State President Prithvi Reddy said that CM Basavaraja Bommai presented a fake budget for election gimmick and if he had met the people protesting at Freedom Park before preparing the budget, he could have presented a budget closer to reality.
Responding to the media on the state budget for the year 2023-24, Prithvi Reddy said, “CM Bommai has presented the budget to make arrangements for BJP's election expenses. By announcing that they will give interest-free loans of 3 to 5 lakhs to the farmers, they are destroying the sinking boat by putting more weight on it. Thus, instead of putting the farmers in debt, the MSP and support price should have been increased. There is no solution in the budget to solve the problem of unemployment. Building classrooms alone will not solve the problems of schools. Teachers should be given advanced training. How will the government implement other schemes when the High Court has reprimanded it for not being able to provide uniforms? Eggs and other food have not been supplied to Anganwadi children this month," he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Bommai says budget imposes no new taxes but state intends to maximize revenues through administrative measures. Budget allocation for proposed Rama Mandira project at Ramanagara after detailed project is prepared, says Karnataka CM Bommai.
It's the final day of the biennial Aero India show. The five-day air show and aviation exhibition began at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru on February 13 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here are some snaps from today's airshow, captured by Indian Express's M. Jithendra. More photos here.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has termed the Budget people-centric and pro-people.
"I could have made a slew of populist measures against economic prudence but we have not gone against poll norms. Ours is a responsible government," he claimed after the budget presentation.
Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said the state debt under the BJP government has increased by 95 per cent since 2019 following a budget presentation by CM Basavaraj Bommai.
Siddaramaiah said Karnataka is getting only Rs 50,000 crore through central allocation despite contributing over Rs 4.75 lakh crore in taxes.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai Friday announced a 'majestic' Ram temple will be constructed at Ramadevara Betta (hill) in Ramanagara district near Bengaluru.
"A majestic Rama Mandira will be constructed in Ramadevara Betta of Ramanagara," Bommai, who also holds the finance portfolio, said while presenting the 2023-24 budget in the Assembly. Ramanagara, part of Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region, is not considered among the BJP's strongholds. Assembly polls are due in Karnataka by May this year.
Ramanagara district in-charge Minister C N Ashwath Narayan had in December last year urged Bommai to constitute a development committee to build a temple at Ramadevara Betta on the lines of Sri Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)
Ropeway at Nandi Hills will be completed under the PPP model, Chief Minister Bommai said in his speech today. But what is this project?
Nandi hills, a weekend getaway for the people of Bengaluru, has become a tourism hub. The ropeway will be 2.93 km long, have 18 towers and each round-trip will take about 28 minutes. The cabinet has approved 50 cabins, each accommodating 10 passengers, for the project. The Rs 93.40-crore ropeway project was approved by the Karnataka Cabinet in February 2022.
However, the forest department is not keen on giving its approval to the construction of pillars in the forest as they believe that it might disrupt the ecosystem of the area. An officer in the forest department said, “The Nandi hills forest is home to sloth bears and leopards, among other animals. We need to ensure that they are not disturbed.” (Read more)
The BJP-led Karnataka government on Friday announced a grant of Rs 9,698 crore for the “comprehensive” development of Bengaluru where the government has focused on building new roads to avoid traffic congestion and a project to prevent flooding.
Here are the key points
The first reactions to the Budget 2023-24 are trickling in. First up is Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who, unsurprisingly, is critical of its provisions.
Here's what he said:
"They haven't implemented even 50 per cent of the announcements made in the previous budget. Their manifesto has 600 assurances. We thought that they would fulfill them now at least. They did not. They are fooling people. That's why we are keeping flowers in our ears as a mark of protest. This a budget which nobody can see and nobody can catch hold off.
We had assured Rs 2,000 per female head of a family during our campaign. They have announced Rs 500 for women of BPL families. They did not do anything when they were in power for three and a half years. They cannot implement this budget too.
This budget does not help anyone or any sector. The 'double engine' is not working. There is only smoke. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai can keep this budget in a showcase."
And with that, CM Bommai ended the last Budget speech of his term. He spoke for around two hours and forty minutes.
But stay on! We're covering the reactions to the Budget, key schemes and measures mentioned, and how it is likely to affect Karnataka's and Bengaluru's future.
So the total expenditure is estimated at Rs 3.09 lakh crore. For the first time in the state, post-Covid pandemic, revenue receipt is expected to be more than revenue expenditure by Rs 402 crore.
This is a revenue surplus budget. The fiscal deficit is expected to be Rs 60,581 crore which is 2,6% of GSDP. Total liabilities at the end of 2023-24 are estimated at Rs 5,64,896 crore, which is 24.2% of GSDP.
CM Bommai winds up the Budget speech with an overview of expenditures.
As per revised estimates, the total expenditure was Rs 2.89 lakh crore. Compared to budget estimates of Rs 2.65 lakh crore, it has increased by 9%. The state's own tax revenue for 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 1.64 lakh crore. Rs 11,000 crore will be collected as non-tax revenue. The state government expects to receive Rs 37,252 crore as its share of central taxes and Rs 13,005 crore as grants from the Central government.
Gross borrowings to be Rs 77,750 crore. Total receipts or budget size will be Rs 3,03,910 crore.
? Proposal to simplify Profession Tax and to raise tax exemption limit from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month for salaried employees
? Karnataka recorded the highest growth rate in GST collection among big states. Commercial tax collection target of Rs 72,000 for 2022-23, the state achieved RTs 83,010 crore by January end. The state has received Rs 10,458 GST compensation to date. The commercial tax collection target for 2023-24 is Rs 92,000 crore
? The revenue collection target for the Stamps and Registration Department for the year 2022-23 was fixed at Rs 15,000 crore. The collection is estimated to be at Rs 17,000 crore. For 2023-24, the revenue collection target for the Stamps and Registration Dept is Rs 19,000 crore
? The excise revenue target was Rs 29,000 cr and the revenue collected will be Rs 32,000 at the end of the fiscal. Target for the 2023-24 fiscal is Rs 35,000 crore
? Revenue target for transport department for 2023-24 is Rs 10,000 crore
?? 24x7 Cyber Security Operation Centre will be established to ensure the safety of government websites, online services and data security
?? Automated testing tracks to come up at Devanahalli, Kolar, Hospete, Gadag, Bellary, Vijayapura, Bidar, Yadgir and Davanagere at a cost of Rs 31 crore
?? For auto, taxi, and lorry drivers and those employed in delivery services, a scheme to grant Rs four lakh insurance under 'Mukhya Mantri Vima Yojane'
?? Government to provide Rs 500 crore to buy 1,200 new buses in 2023-24. Action to increase the number of electric buses in the coming years
?? State government has agreed to provide 50% amount for starting a Rs 100 crore corpus fund to provide health facilities for advocates
? To strengthen the police system in Bengaluru city, 2,000 additional posts will be created at various levels.
? Rs 450 crore will be provided in the current year to complete the construction of 3,000 police quarters
? Forensic Science Laboratories will commence in Tumakuru and Shivamogga at a cost of Rs 10 crore
? A Forensic Science University at Dharwad with collaboration from Centre; Rs 50 crore for replacing old and non-functional vehicles
? Duty Allowance of 35,000 registered Home Guards will be increased by Rs 100 per day
? 1,000 personnel to be recruited to strengthen the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force.
Cloud-based State Data Centre 3.0 will be set up at a cost of Rs 590 crore for various departments of the Karnataka government and PSUs.
?? For the development of the Kittur Karnataka Region, the Kitturu Karnataka Development Authority will be established
?? The monthly honorarium of Grama Sahayaka, who will be re-designated as Jana Sevaka to increase by Rs 1,000 from Rs 13,000 to Rs 14,000.
?? In the next two years, Rs 1,000 crore will be spent for the comprehensive development and renovation of various temples and mutts
?? The annuity payable to Inam Lands of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is to be enhanced from Rs 48,000 to Rs 60,000. 3,721 institutions will benefit
?? National Cycle Risk Mitigation Scheme Phase-III will be implemented at a cost of Rs 150 crore
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been speaking for over two and a half hours now.
He began his Budget speech at around 10.15 am. Discounting the short disruption in the beginning due to Congress's "flower" protest, CM Bommai has not yet taken a break though his fellow MPs were seen stretching their legs or chatting with their neighbours, at times.
These are some provisions CM Bommai announced with regard to Karnataka's tourism sector.
? At Anjanadri Hill of Koppal district, considered the birthplace of Sri Anajaneya, Rs 100 crore allocated for basic facilities for tourists
? A majestic Ram Mandir will be constructed at Ramadevara Betta in Ramanagar
? Rope way at Nandi Hills will be completed under the PPP model
? Prime places of tourist attractions such as Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi and Gol Gumbaz to be developed. Rs 60 crore for modern lighting facility, 3D projection mapping etc to be taken up
? Jungle Lodges and Resort at 10-acre land in the backwaters of Manchanabele Resort in Ramanagar
? First University of Environment Sciences to come up at Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district
?? Karnataka Olympic Dream Project Fund of Rs 50 crore for training and equipment to ensure Olympic medals for athletes of the state
?? Under the new scheme of 'Badukuva Daari' for youth who could not continue education after school. Rs 1,500 monthly stipend for three months for Job Oriented Course
?? Outdoor gyms at a cost of Rs 100 cr at district and taluk stadiums
? To infuse faith in the weaker sections of society, especially among women, the safe city project under the Nirbhaya scheme is being implemented on a war footing. 4,100 cameras have already been installed in 1,640 places. Safety measures taken will be monitored by providing access to these cameras to the integrated control and command centre. A grant of Rs 261 crore will be provided to complete this scheme in the current year.
? 250 well-equipped 'She toilets' will be constructed in the heavily populated markets, mega commercial complexes, etc of Bengaluru city. State-of-the-art designs including toilets, feeding rooms, mobile charging, emergency SOS services etc. at a cost of Rs 50 crore will be constructed in these complexes. (Express' Kiran Parashar reports)
Here's what CM Bommai said in his Budget speech
? Providing health services at affordable cost is the priority of our government. For this purpose, Namma clinics in 243 wards and 27 smart virtual clinics have been approved for the year 2022-23. Further, 50 dialysis beds and 300 bedded super speciality facilities are established. To improve the health administration system, it is proposed to re-constitute the Mahanagara Health administration as 'Bengaluru health systems'.
? 20 Bengaluru public schools announced in the 2022-23 Budget have been implemented. Further, a scheme for the development of BBMP schools at a cost of Rs 180 crore is prepared under Amrutha Nagarothana Scheme and the works will be completed in the year 2023-24.
? 10 lakh saplings have been planted every year up to 2022-23. From 2023-24 onwards, this will be increased to 15 lakh saplings. It is proposed to establish 3 high-tech nurseries in coordination with the forest department.
? To prevent the encroachment of BBMP property and to ensure the protection of such property, fencing, erecting boards and surveillance through GPS software will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 35 crore. (Express' Kiran Parashar reports)
Several actions will be taken for the processing of waste produced in Bengaluru city, says CM Bommai in the Budget speech.
He says: Auro tippers and compactors designed for the collection of dry waste and wet waste in the same vehicle will be operationalised. For the processing of waste in the respective ward, a modern technology-based odourless waste processing unit will be established in each ward.
Thrust will be given to process the waste locally by mandating the producers of the large quantity of waste including commercial complexes, hospitals and hotels to process the waste at their level itself. (Express' Kiran Parashar reports)
To mitigate the ill effects of climate change and to control floods in Bengaluru, the following measures have been proposed.
?? A project assistant from the World Bank at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore will be implemented. Sluice gates will be installed at all the tanks to control the flood situation under this scheme. It will help in controlling the speed and quantity of flow of water.
?? The works of Cauvery Water Supply Scheme stage-5 have been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 5,500 crore with the financial assistance of JICA and these works will be completed in the year 2023-24. completion of the 775 MLD capacity scheme will help in providing potable water to 50 lakh people in the city.
?? Rs 200 crore financial assistance will be given to Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board from the state government for implementing the second phase of providing water to 11 villages coming under BBMP.
?? At present, 1,850 MLD effluents are being produced in Bengaluru, out of which 1,500 MLD effluents treatment capacity has been created. A capacity of 350 MLD will be added to treat all the effluents in the city.
?? Construction works of four new effluent treatment plants with a total capacity of 440 MLD at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore have been taken up under Mega city's revolving fund. (Express' Kiran Parashar reports)
Here are a few more provisions CM Bommai announced to decongest Bengaluru.
? To reduce traffic congestion considerably, the construction of a satellite town ring road of 288 km of length at a cost of Rs 13,139 crore has been approved by the government of India. The state government has agreed to pay 30% of the land acquisition cost required for this project.
? Approval has been given by the state government and ministry of railways for the implementation of the Bengaluru suburban railway project at a cost of Rs `15,767 crore which was a long-standing demand of Bengaluru residents. The works of the first phase are already under the project and this project will be completed in the year 2024-25. Grants of Rs 1,350 crore from the central govt and Rs 1,000 crore from the state government will be provided in the current year.
? The work order for Bengaluru suburban railway project between Chikkabanavara and By corridor-2 via duct for Rs 860 crore has been issued and the works have been commenced.
? High-powered Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority is constituted in order to coordinate the operations of various transport agencies and to find out the scientific remedies to mitigate the traffic problems of the fast-developing Bengaluru city.
Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act will be implemented for the wide use of Kannada in administration, industries, commerce and education.
?? At present, the Bengaluru Metro Rail scheme is operational in a 56km network. The works of the metro rail scheme connecting the central silk board junction and Kempegowda International Airport of 58.19km length with 30 stations is under progress at a fast pace. It is planned to operationalise a 40.15km length metro route in the current years.
?? Third phase of works relating to the metro network has been proposed in the previous budget. A detailed project report for two corridors for 2 corridors of 44.65 km in length with 31 stations has been submitted to the central government. The estimated cost is Rs 16,328 crore for this project. The work will be taken up after approval of the Govt of India.
? White topping of 120 km arterial roads in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore and 300 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city will be developed at a cost of Rs 450 crore.
? Rs 300 crore will be provided for the reconstruction of roads which need repair in the 110 villages included in the BBMP limits.
? For proper usage of Sir M Vishveshwaraiah terminal at Byappanahalli, the access roads around the terminal will be comprehensively developed and it is proposed to take up the necessary works at a cost of Rs 300 crore to reduce the traffic congestion.
CM Bommai announces a grant of Rs 9,698 crore for the 'comprehensive' development of Bengaluru, in which the government has focused on building new roads to 'avoid' traffic congestion and a project to prevent flooding.
? Under the Amrutha Nagarothana Scheme, Rs 6,000 crore worth of works are being implemented in Bengaluru city. The development of a total of 108 km of roads is taken up under the high-density corridors scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 273 crore.
? To ensure that there is a free flow of rainwater and to avoid flooding, Rs 1,813 crore has been provided to undertake, and Rs 1,813 crore has been provided to undertake the development of a total of 195 km of drainage and culverts.
? To reduce the traffic congestion in Bengaluru city, it is proposed to develop 75 important junctions with the highest traffic congestion at a cost of Rs 150 crore. As a supplement to this, traffic congestion will be reduced by using Artificial Intelligence for the management of traffic signals by adopting seamless signalling.
? Traffic congestion will be reduced by constructing a 5 km elevated road at a cost of Rs 350 crore from the Tin factory to Medahalli and the integrated flyover from Yeshwanthpur railway station to Mathikere and BEL road and by providing direct access. This will be done by integrating it with the rail networking of suburban railway corporations.
CM Bommai, in his Budget speech, says that it is proposed to establish a state-of-the-art Start-Up Park near Kempegowda International Airport at a cost of Rs 30 crore.
Karnataka attracted Rs 41.6 thousand crore of FDI in 2022-23 and has exported products worth 75,439 million dollars, says CM Bommai, adding that the state emerged as the 'Top achiever' in the ranking list of Ease of Doing Business released by the Centre.
Other key updates in this sector:
?? New industrial clusters in nine places of state by Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corp
?? Loan facility for women entrepreneurs in the service sector at 4% interest rate to increase from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore
?? New Mega Textile Parks in Raichur, Kalaburgi, Vijayapur and Chikkamagalur districts and mini-textile parks in 25 locations in the state under PPP. Expected employment of 25,000
?? Karnataka is home to 40 unicorns worth about 163 billion dollars. In 2022-23, six startups in the state obtained the Unicorn status
?? Centre for Epidemic Preparedness to come up at a cost of Rs 10 crore
CM Bommai, in his Budget speech, announces a special package of Rs 100 crore to develop major roads in the state. Other provisions in the roads and infrastructure sector include:
? Feasibility report has already been prepared for the construction of airports in the Davanagere and Koppal districts. Action will be taken to commence the construction work this year
? Deep Water All Weather Greenfield Ports to be developed at Keni in Uttara Kannada and Pavina Kuruve under the PPP model
? 1,100 crore for Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme
? Mangaluru-Karwar-Goa-Mumbai waterways will be developed on the PPP model
?? Rs 3,000 crore for 50 new sub-stations, 1,060 km of transmission lines and augmentation of 100 sub-station works
?? DPR for Sharavathy Pumped Storage Power Plant ready. It will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 7,394 crore in collaboration with the Centre
?? 1,700 km of state highway roads will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore under State Highway Development Project Phase-4, stage-3
?? 1,500 cr to extend connectivity network in district centres and to connect rural roads
Taxi and auto stands will be constructed in the name of the famous Kannada actor late Shankarnag by identifying vacant sites in cities and towns.
Incidentally, the famous RangaShankara theatre in Bengaluru's JP Nagar is named after the actor as well.
Big Data Lake Programme will be commenced with the collaboration of IIITB and the Centre for e-Governance for data analysis and forecasting while formulating new programmes.
? Under NREGA, employment will be provided to 88 lakh people at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore in 2023-24
? Rs 6,234 crore allotted for Jal Jeevan Mission
? To provide connectivity to rural roads and agricultural lands, an expenditure of Rs 300 crore will be incurred for the development of 5,000 km roads with 25 km road per Legislative Assembly constituency.
? In 20,000 villages, for waste management and drainage, Rs 4,190 crore allocated
? Rs 5,000 crore for various works through Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board
? Under 'Poura Asare' scheme, 5,000 houses will be constructed for homeless Pourakarmikas at a cost of Rs 300 crore
When the CM is reading out the Budget, you'd have noticed that the other members in the Assembly are reading through a booklet with a saffron-white-green cover.
Indian Express reporter Sanath Prasad says that it's a booklet version of the Budget speech shared with the members. It has 136 pages and is divided into different sectors like 'Welfare and Inclusive Growth,' 'Stimulating Economic Growth' and so on.
In his Budget speech, CM Bommai says that the capital investment estimate for 2023-24 is 30.4% higher than that for the previous year.
It was estimated at Rs 46,955 crore in 2022-23 but has been increased to Rs 61,234 crore for 2023-24.
The gross allocation for the education sector has been increased from Rs 31,980 crore last year to Rs 37,960 crore this year, as per the Budget.
The gross allocation for the education sector has been increased from Rs 31,980 crore last year to Rs 37,960 crore this year, as per the Budget speech.
? Rs 500 crore to build homes for the houseless in all aspirational taluks
? Government plans to acquire around 2,000 acre of land for housing projects and develop approximately 30,000 properties for distribution to the public
? Under 'Namma Nele' scheme, one-third of the sites developed by the Karnataka Housing Board, i.e., 10,000 sites will be distributed to EWS
? 19 Employee State Insurance Clincis will be started in the state
?? A corpus fund of Rs 2 crore will be established for Dr BR Ambedkar Fellowship to five students of SC/ST communities to pursue PhD in ISEC institution
?? Free coaching to 10,000 youth belonging to SC/ST, backward classes and minorities to get them appointed as Agniveers
?? Rs 250 crore additional grant for the development of infra and repair works of Backward Classes Department
?? There are demands from various communities to form development corporations based on professions. The government will examine these demands during the current year
?? Minority students who wish to undertake graduate and post-graduate education abroad in prestigious universities having a Global Ranking with 250, an interest subsidy will be provided with zero per cent interest for upto Ra 20 lakh
In addition to this, in aspirational taluks, a series of initiatives have been announced with a grant of Rs 135 crore to increase the learning standards and improve the results by providing quality education. Some of the initiatives include:
? Establishing Srushti tinkering laboratories in 73 Karnataka Public Schools and 50 Adarsha Vidyalayas at the cost of Rs 15 crore, granting Rs 100 crore for construction of new schools in the 23 taluks which do not have Karnataka Public Schools and for the development of functional 46 schools.
? To inculcate interest and awareness about current affairs, the 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 also be launched in association with JPAL for taking up supplementary teaching to the students in grades 8 and 9 with an aim to improve the results of SSLC.
? To cater to the requirement of toilets in all schools and colleges through the construction of 7750 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 order to provide a better learning environment for the students in the 93 aspirational taluks of Karnataka, a series of developmental works at a cost of Rs 632 crore in all schools and pre-university colleges have been announced. Some of them include constructing 1,230 additional classrooms, repairing 2,777 classrooms damaged due to heavy rains, and constructing of additional 260 classrooms in government pre-university colleges, among other initiatives.
? As part of the ‘welfare and inclusive growth’, CM Bommai has announced CM Vidya Shakti Scheme which aims to provide free education in government pre-university and government degree colleges. It aims to enable all children who pass out of high school to continue their higher education. The decision is set to benefit 8 lakh students of the state.
? In the state over 19 lakh school and college students depend on the public bus service for their education. In order to enhance the coverage, Bommai announced ‘Makkala Buss’, a scheme through which an additional 1,000 schedules will be operated through Road Transport Corporations at the cost of Rs 100 crore. It is expected to benefit additional 2 lakh students every year.
? In order to provide a better learning environment to students in schools and colleges, the government announced the Viveka programme wherein 7,601 classrooms are being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,194 crore. In the current Budget, approval has been given to construct additional 1,955 rooms at a cost of Rs 382 crore under various other programmes of the department. Therefore, a total of 9,556 classrooms at the cost of Rs 1,576 crore will be constructed.
? To provide better basic amenities and proper learning resources to the children, a new centrally sponsored scheme PM SHRI will be implemented at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
Department of Women and Child Development to be bifurcated into the Department of Child Nutrition and Department of Women Empowerment.