From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 17: For the first time in the history of Karnataka, the size of the State’s annual budget has crossed the Rs 3 lac mark by touching an all-time high of Rs 3,09,182 crore for the year 2023-24 against last year’s budget estimate of Rs 2,65,720 crore, marking an increase of Rs 43,462 crore with a growth rate of Rs 16% and, to top it all, the Chief Minister present a nominal revenue surplus of Rs 402 crore.
On a day, the entire Congress members including leader of opposition Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief D K Shivakumar arrived in the house wearing flowers on their ears to ridicule the budgetary announcements, the Chief Minister tried his best to please all sections of society by announcing grants and programmes with no additional taxes during the year.
“I would like to describe the Budget for 2023-24 as “growth-inducing, inclusive budget focused on job creation, higher capital investment, upliftment of women and youth, welfare of all the Sections of the Society with particular emphasis on SC/STs and Backward Classes, with clear plan for fiscal stability and consolidation,’’ Bommai said after presenting the budget.
Dividing the budget proposals in six separate categories, Bommai said agriculture and allied activities will get a lion’s share of allocation snat Rs 39,031crore with the limit of 0% interest short term crop loans to be increased from Rs 3 lac to Rs 5 lac to benefit 30 lac famers besides announcing Rs 10,000 additional financial support to farmers having Kisan Credit Cards for purchasing seeds, fertilisers pesticides etc., under Bhoosirii programme and the new Jeevan Jyothi Life Insurance Scheme for providing insurance cover up to Rs 2 lac at a total cost of Rs 180 croe. The bhoosiri and Jeevan Jyothi Life Insurance Scheme will be benefitting 50 lac farmers and 56 lac small and marginal farmers respectively.
Sops for farmers
In a bid woo the farmers in a big way, the budget provides for increasing the revolving fund corpus udner the minimum support price mechanism to Rs 3,500 crore and also increase the annual limit of sales tax free diesel to fishing boats from 1.5 lac kilo litres to 2 lac kilo litres, besides promising construction of 10,000 new houses to fishermen.
The other announcements are: Hi-tech Silk cocoon market in Shidalagatta which Asia’s 2nd biggest silk market at cost of Rs 75 crore, Rs 5000 crore for Upper Krishna Project (Stage III), which includes the Central grant offered recently, Rs 1000 crore for Kalasa-Banduri Project and Yettinahole Project to be implemented on fast-track basis.
Bommai sought to woo the women by offering Rs 80,318 crore allocation for women and social services schemes, which inlud3s Rs 47,255.86 crore allotted for women-centric schemes and Rs 46,277.75 crore allotted for children-centric schemes, Rs 3000 crore to Aspirational Taluks Scheme in Health, Nutrition, Education, Welfare, Housing and Drinking water sectors, Rs 1,332 crore towards improvement of quality of education and construction of residential schools and hostels for weaker sections, Rs 680 crore of augmentation of health facilities and improving nutrition, Rs 500 crore for Housing, Rs 424 crore for Drinking water and Rs 100 crore for Skill Development schemes.
Grihini Shakti vs Gruha Lakshmi
Unveiling BJP’s Grihini Shakti programme as against Congress party’s poll promise of Griha Lakshmi offering Rs 2,000 each per month to all housewives, Bommai said under the Shrama Shakti scheme, landless women agricultural labourers will be paid Rs 500 per month, Free monthly bus passes to women working in organized sector, Skill training to 1 lac women towards setting up of home-based industries, Rs 100 crore ‘Arogya Pusti’ scheme to tackle Anaemia in females based on life cycle approach and Vidya Vahini’ scheme for Free bus passes to all school and college going girl students.
To attract youth, the chief minister has announced Yuva Shakti to provide Rs.2000 one-time assistance remaining unemployed for more than 3 years after graduation and Badukuva Daari schme for PU Dropouts to make themself-reliant through skill training with stipend of Rs 1500 per month for 3 months. Further in case of further selection as Apprentice, Rs 1500 per month stipend would be given for 3 months.
All anganawadi workers and helpers, Asha, mid-day meal cooks and helpers, gram sahayaks and librarians are promised Rs 1000 monthly hike in their honorariums. The home guards have been announced a daily hike of Rs 100 each in their honorarium.
As against Congress party’s poll promise of 200 units of free power to all domestic users, Bommai has announced 75 units of free electricity only to below poverty line SC/ST households.
The State capital of Bengaluru has received a massive allocation of Rs 9,608 crore for the comprehensive development of the city with construction of Metro line connecting Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport is going at a rapid pace. 40.15 kms of this Metro line would be completed and operationized in the current year and Phase 3 of Bengaluru Metro to be undertaken at cost of Rs 16,328 crore.
Work order has been issued for Corridor-2 of Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project costing Rs 860 crores and the construction works have commenced, 288 km long Satellite Town Ring Road to be constructed at cost of Rs 13,139 crores to ease the traffic congestion in Bengaluru City besides controlling flooding in Bengaluru City, Rs 3000 crore comprehensive project will be undertaken with support of World Bank and 5 km long elevated corridor from Tin Factory to Medahalli at a cost of Rs 350 crores would be taken up to ease the traffic congestion, Roads connecting to Sir M. Visvesvaraya Metro Terminal would be developed comprehensively at a total cost of Rs 300 crore.
Ram Mandir at Ramadevarabetta
Bommai has promised construction of a Ram Mandir at Ramadevarabetta in Ramanagara district, which was mooted by Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan to be sharply attacked by JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy stating that the people were capable of building a temple and developing the Ramadevara Betta, and also announced renovation of temples, maths at a cost of Rs 1000 crore.
He also announced the start of new environment university at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district and said one lac vacant posts in all government departments will be filled up and 1200 new buses will be inducted into the State Transport Corporations with Rs 500 crore financial assistance from the government and rs 450 crore for construction of 3,000 police quarters.
Robust Revenue Growth
Bommai said the State’s revenue collections have displayed robut performance and the government has been able to achieve year-on-year revenue growth of 17% and 91% over the budget estimates for the year 2022-23.The increase in revenue collection is reflection of robust growth in State’s economy and the State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has incr3ased to Rs 22.41,368 crore in financial year 2022-23. The per capita income has increased from Rs 2,43.727 in 2019-20 t Rs 3,31,91 in 2022-23, registering a growh of 36% over the past four years.
The Revenue Expenditure is Rs. 2,25,507 crore and Capital Expenditure is
Rs. 61,234 crore. The Capital Expenditure has increased by 30% compared to 2022-23, which is highest increase in capital expenditure over the years. Further the Capital Expenditure for FY 2023-24 is nearly 2 times that in FY 2017-18, the chief minister said.
2.6% Fiscal Deficit
“The Fiscal deficit of the State is estimated at 2.6% of GSDP for 2023-24, which is well within the limit of 3% prescribed under the KFR Act. Compared to fiscal deficit of 2.82% in BE 2022-23, I have attempted to reduce the Fiscal deficit for next Financial Year,’’ Bommai said pointing out that ``we have budgeted a total borrowing of Rs.77,750 crore for 2023-24, which would be used exclusively to fund capital expenditure in the State. The total outstanding liabilities is expected to be Rs 5,64,896 crore by 31.3.2024 and as a percentage to GSDP is estimated at 24.2% for 2023-24, which is within the limit of 25% prescribed under Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The estimated total receipts including loan in 2023-24 stands at Rs.3,03,910 crore. This is an increase of Rs.41,932 crore (16%) over the last year. The total revenue receipts in 2023-24 is Rs.2,25,910 crore which is an increase of Rs 36,022 crore (19%) compared to the previous year. The State Own Tax Revenue receipts are estimated to be Rs.1,64,653 crore (including GST compensation). GST compensation of Rs.5,000 crore is estimated for 2023-24. Own tax revenue has increased by Rs.32,770 crore (25%) over 2022-23.
UPDATES
1.15 pm - The total Own Tax Revenue of the State for the year 2023-24 is estimated to be Rs1,64,653 crore. Rs 11,000 crore is expected to be collected from Non-Tax Revenue. The State Government expects to receive Rs 37,252 crore by way of the share Central Taxes and Rs 13,005 crore in the form of grants from the Government of India. These Revenue Receipts are estimated to be supplemented by gross borrowings of Rs 77,750 crore, non-debt capital receipts of Rs 23 crore, and recovery of loans of Rs 228 crore. The total receipts are estimated to be Rs 3,03,910 crore during 2023-24. Total Expenditure is estimated to be Rs.3,09, 182 crore which includes Revenue Expenditure at Rs.2,25,507 crore, Capital Expenditure at Rs.61,234 crore and loan repayment at Rs.22,441 crore. For the first time in the State, post- COVID pandemic, Revenue Receipt are estimated to be more than the Revenue Expenditure by Rs.402 crore. This is a Revenue Surplus Budget. Fiscal deficits are expected to be Rs.60,581 crore, which is 2.60% GSDP. The total liabilities at the end of 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs.5,64,896 crore, which is 24.20 per cent of the GSDP. With this, I am happy to inform you that all the parameters specified in the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002 have been complied with- CM
1.10 pm - Compared to the budget estimates of Rs.2,61,977 crore for the year 2022-23, a revised estimate is Rs.2,79,540 crore. Out of this, State's revenue mobilization efforts stand at Rs.2,12,360 crore which includes its own tax revenue collection includingGST compensation amounting to Rs. 1,54,431 crores. As per the revised estimates, the total expenditure is Rs.2,89,653 crore. When compared to budget estimates at Rs.2,65,720 crore, it has increased by 9 % - CM
1.05 pm - A new Karasamadhana Scheme proposed for collection of Excise arrears relating to Arrack / Toddy. Under this scheme, interest and penalty interest will be waived for those who make payment of basic amount relating to Arrack/Toddy rentals on or before 30.06.2023. The revenue collection target of Rs.29,000 crore was fixed for Excise Department for the year 2022-23 against which revenue collection of Rs.32,000 crore will be made. This will be 10% higher than the Budget Estimate. The revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs.35,000 crore.Transport. The revenue collection target of Rs.8,007 crore was fixed for Transport Department for the year 2022-23 against which revenue collection of Rs.9,007 crore will be made. This will be 13% higher than the Budget Estimate. The revenue collection target for the Transport department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs 10,500 - Bommai
1 pm - A rebate of 10% was given on the guidance value during the period 01.01.2022 to 31.03.2022, during this period 82,784 documents were registered and at revenue collection was at Rs.4,343 crore. This is a record revenue collection in a period of three months in the history of the State. Once again 10 % rebate in guidance value was extended from 24.04.2022 to 21.07.2022 during which period 1,73,937 documents were registered and the revenue collection is Rs.4,018.66 crore. The revenue collection target for the Stamps and Registration Department for the year 2022-23 was fixed at Rs. 15,000 crore, against which revenue collection of Rs. 17,000 crore will be made exceeding the target by year-end. This will be 13% higher than the Budget Estimate. The revenue collection target of Rs.19,000 crore is given to the Stamps and Registration department for the year 2023-24 - CM
12.55 - Karnataka has recorded the highest growth rate in GST collection amongst big States of the country. For the year 2022-23, the revenue collection target for Commercial Taxes Department was fixed at Rs.72,000 crore against which revenue collection of (excluding GST compensation) Rs.83,010 crore is achieved by January end. This is more than the Budget estimates by 15%. The State has received GST compensation of Rs. 10,548 crore and total collection including GST compensation will be Rs.93,558 crore by end of the year. The revenue collection BUDGET 2023-24 target for Commercial Taxes Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs. 92,000 crore (excluding GST compensation) - CM
12.50 - In the Anjanadri hill of Koppal district, known as the birthplace of lord Anjaneya, a detailed project has been formulated involving various works at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore to provide basic facilities to the tourists and a tender has been invited. The Central Government has agreed to relay the C.R.Z. guidelines which was the longstanding demand of the people of the Coastal region. In this background, policies will be framed to encourage religious adventure and environmentally friendly tourism. Approval has been provided for the comprehensive development of Chamundi Hill of Mysuru City under the 'PRASAD' programme of Central Tourism Ministry. Development of monuments of Hampi under 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0' programme and development of permanent facilities in the precincts of Karnataka Exhibition Authority of Mysuru has been sanctioned. A majestic Rama Mandira will be constructed in Ramadevara Betta of Ramanagara. 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 rope way under Public Private Partnership will be completed in the current year. As per the announcement made in the Budget, the incentive to 398 registered Tourist Guides operating in the State has been increased from Rs.2,000 from Rs.5,000. A total of Rs. 1.10 crore has been provided. The Vijaya Vittala temple and Purandara Mantapa of Hampi, Golgumbaz of Vijayapura, Bhoganandeshwara temple of Chikkaballapur district, the caves of Badami, the forts of Kittur and Bidar, which reflect the richness of the history and art of Karnataka, will be developed. Modern lighting facilities, 3-D projection mapping, Sound and Light Exhibitions will be provided in these places. Rs 60 crore will be provided for this in 2023-24 -Bommai
12.40 - Rural Sports Meets will be conducted from the village level to the State level to introduce and encourage rural and traditional sports like Kho-Kho, Wrestling, Kabaddi, Kambala, Bullock Cart race, and others to the children. One well-equipped Sports Court in every Gram Panchayat jurisdiction will be constructed under the NREGA scheme at a cost of Rs.5 crore. To encourage Youth talents of the State, Swami Vivekananda Yuva Prashasti will be given to five youth who have made exemplary achievements in various fields. Karnataka Olympic Dream Project Fund will be established at a cost of Rs.50 crore to provide exceptional training and equipment to ensure we bring more medals at Olympics and other international Sports. Under this project, sponsorship will be provided to young talented sportspersons between 12 and 19 years of age representing the Country at the international level - CM
12.36 - The works of Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Stage-V have been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs.5,550 crore with the financial assistance of JICA and these works will be 33% completed in the year 2023-24. Completion of 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 potable water to 110 villages coming under the purview of BBMP. At present, 1,850 MLD effluents is being produced in Bengaluru, out of which 1,500 MLD effluent 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 crores have been taken up under the Mega City Revolving Fund. Several actions will be taken for processing of waste produced in Bengaluru City. Auto tippers and compactors designed for 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 - Bommai
12.31 - At present, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Scheme is operational in 56 kms network. The works of the metro rail scheme connecting Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport of 58.19 kms length with 30 stations are under progress at a fast pace. It is planned to operationalise 40.15 KMs length metro route in the current year. Third phase of works relating to the metro network has been proposed in the previous budget. A Detailed Project Report for two corridors of 44.65 KMs length with 31 stations has been submitted to the Central Government. The estimated cost is Rs.16,328 crore for this project. The works will be taken up after approval from the Government of India. Approval has been given by the State Government and Ministry of Railways for implementation of the Bengaluru Sub-urban Railway Project at a cost of Rs.15,767 crore which was the long-standing demand of residents of Bengaluru. The work of the first phase is already under progress and this project will be completed in the year 2024-25. Grants of Rs. 1,350 crore from the Central Government and Rs. 1,000 crore from the State Government will be provided in the current year.The work order for Bengaluru Sub-urban Railway Project between Chikkabanavara and Byappanahalli 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 - Bommai
12.21 - 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 Sub-urban Railway Corporation.--White topping of 120 kms arterial roads in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs.1000 crore and 300 kms 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 re-construction of roads that need repair in the 110 villages included in the BBMP limit. 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. To reduce the traffic congestion considerably, the construction of Satellite Town Ring Road of 288 KMs 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 land acquisition cost required for this project - CM
12.17 - Bengaluru is recognised as technology hubo the world. Our Government has given priority to improve the quality of lives of the people in a fast growing Benglauru city by ensuring seamless mobility, developing roads, prevention of floods by developing storm water drains and by designing scientific and efficient waste management system. Providing quality education and health facilities are also given focus by our Government. Under the Amrutha Nagarothana scheme, Rs. 6,000 crore worth of works are being implemented in Bengaluru city. Development of a total of 108 KMs roads is taken up under 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 the development of total of 195 KMs of drainage and culverts - Bommai
12.12 - In the year 2022-23 under various schemes, the development of State Highway with a road length of 818 km, district and other roads length of 1,093 km, and 135 bridges construction at a total cost of Rs.4,221 crore have been completed. 1,008 km length State Highway which completed its lifespan has been taken up for renovation at a cost of Rs.440 crore. By the end of March 2023, a State Highway road length of 948 km, district and other roads length of 1,364 km are proposed to be developed at a cost of Rs.3,720 crore. The NDA Government, after coming to power at Centre in 2014 has completed 6,715 km ofNational Highways in Karnataka at a cost of Rs.64,512 crore to date. In continuation, it is proposed to develop 3,084 km of highways at a cost of one lakh twenty thousand crore rupees. Bengaluru-Chennai expressway costing Rs.5,486 crore, Bengaluru-Ramanagar- Mandya-Mysuru highway costing Rs.8,408 crore, Surat Chennai expressway costing Rs.4,544 crore, Hubballi-Dharawad six-lane road costing Rs.1,200 crore, Hubballi-Hosapete-Ballary-Andra Pradesh border highway costing Rs.2,200 crore, six lane Chitradurga-Davanagere-Haveri highway costing Rs.2,611 crore are included in this. Approval has been given to develop 92 km length of Mysuru-Kushalanagara 4 lane at a cost of Rs.4, 128 crore. To prevent road accidents and to facilitate smooth traffic flow, 145 road safety block spot removal works have been completed at a cost of Rs. 124 crores through the Planning and Road Asset Management Centre. The repair and reconstruction works of departmental roads and bridges which got damaged by excess rainfall and flood have been undertaken at the cost of Rs.500 crore in the year 2022-23 - CM
12.04 - Electricity connections to about 2.35 lakh un-electrified households at a Rs. 124 crore cost under 'Belaku' scheme. Also, the government will replace 1.37 lakhdefunct transformers and also install new 67,713 transformers, and electricity connections to 4,268 bore wells under Ganga Kalyana Yojane and various other people-friendly measures. Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy 2022-27' has been implemented with an aim to produce 10 GW capacity renewable energy. In the Global Investors Meet held last year, about 1.68 Lakh crore worth of MoU for renewable energy investment including Green Hydrogen has been signed. For uninterrupted transmission of power and to strengthen the transmission network, establishment of 16 new sub-stations, construction of 910 km of transmission lines and upgradation of 151 sub-stations have been completed in the year 2022-23. Further, in the current year, works for 50 new sub-stations, 1,060 Circuit km of transmission lines and augmentation of 100 existing sub-station works will be taken up with an investment of Rs.3000 crores by Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited. Modernisation of Generation Switchyard equipment and protection systems will be undertaken by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited at an estimated cost of Rs. 102 crores under the Central Government's Power System Development Fund Scheme- Phase-III - CM
11.59 am - Expression of Interest has been invited toprestigious private organizations to buildIntegrated Townships in Mysuru, Chikkaballapura, Chithradurga, Haveri, Kolar, and Ramanagara under Public-Private- Partnership model. These Townships will give a new dimension to City planning and new Enterprises and will create better lifestyles and working environments. Taxi and Auto stands will be constructed in the name of the famous actor Late Shankarnag by identifying vacant sites in cities and towns - CM
11.53 am - With seven cities have been selected in the State under Smart City Mission, Rs.5,900 crore has been released, out of which 506 works worth of Rs.4,157 crore have been completed. Water sources and ation and revival of water sources and other works will be undertaken under the centrally sponsored scheme 'Amruth 2.0' with a project cost of Rs.9,230 crore in 287 cities in the State. Under this scheme, tap connections will be provided to about 7.21 lakh households at the cost of Rs.6,820 crore in 185 cities and towns in the year 2023-24 by Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. Approval has been given for constructing houses for 5,188 Pouranoukaras in the State out of which 3,733 houses have been completed. In the current year, under the 'Poura Asare' scheme, it is proposed to construct houses for 5,000 houseless Pouranoukaras at a cost of Rs.300 crore. In the jurisdiction of 196 Urban Local Bodies in the State, 179 lakh metric tons of legacy solid waste which has been collected in the last 10 years is proposed to be disposed within two years - CM
11. 48 am - The government will develop a web portal for the adoption of stray dogs. Dog lovers can register themselves and adopt the animals - Bommai
11.45 am - It is the priority of our government to provide shelter to all. When the BJP Government came into power, 15.84 lakh houses were sanctioned by the previous Government without allocating any grants. Despite being hit by Covid, our government has provided Rs. 10, 173 crore for completing these houses. Our government, in addition to completing around 5 lakh houses, has given approval for the construction of 5 lakh new houses. In the current year, 5 lakh houses will be completed and a total of Rs.5,000 crore will be spent. In the current year, 20,000 houses will be completed in Bengaluru and will be handed over to the beneficiaries. Under this scheme, a transparent online system of choosing the house of choice by the beneficiaries themselves is being formulated. It is the priority of our Government to provide housing facilities to all houseless persons in the aspirational talukas. Priority will be given to providing housing facilities to more people through a saturation approach in these talukas. Rs.500 crore is provided for this purpose in the current year and additional grants will be provided if required. Under the new scheme 'Namma Nele', one-third of the sites developed by the Karnataka Housing Board i.e, around 10,000 sites will be distributed to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) - CM
11.40 am - The treated sewage sent through K C Valley will be purified further. Acquiescing to the farmer's demand pending for three years, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in his budget announced that the water will be processed through tertiary treatment before being pumped to the two districts.
11.33 am - Action will be taken to provide housing facilities to the Safai Karmacharis through the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. Increasing significantly compared to last year, Rs.795 crore will be provided in the current year to the various 6 development Corporations belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Various schemes will be implemented at a total cost of Rs 1,842 crore including the additional grants provided to the Corporations and the amounts already available with them. Free coaching will be provided to 10,000 youth belonging to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Minority Classes to enable them to get appointed as Agniveers in the Indian Army. In the year 2023-24, for the upliftment of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan, a total of Rs. 30,215 Crores has been provided. Rs. 21,343 crores have been provided for the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Rs. 8,872 Crores has been provided for the Tribe Sub Plan - CM
11.30 am - In addition to 4000 new Child Care Centres in urban regions, the government will build 500 kindergartens will be started in rural areas. A total of Rs 46,278 crore has been provided in the budget for Women's Empowerment and Welfare. And, a total of Rs 47,256 crore has been provided for Child Welfare: Bommai
11.24 am - To reduce 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. Traffic congestion will be reduced by using Artificial Intelligence for the management of traffic signals by adopting seamless signaling. Rs 1,000 crore will be released for the white topping of 120 km of arterial roads in Bengaluru. And, 300 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city will be developed at a cost of Rs 450 crore, says Bommai
11.20 am - The monthly pension paid to the victims of the acid attack has already been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000. From this year, support for the construction of houses will be provided by Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation.Further, interest-free loans will be provided for self-employment through the Women's Development Corporation. And,a special fund will also be create in WDC to provide support for health and legal assistance - CM
11.10 am - Rs 500 crore to set up a new medical college in Chitradurga. Post graduate degree courses have been started at Mandya and Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences.450 bedded hospital has been started in 2022-23 in Chamarajanagar to provide tertiary care services to the people. And, the construction of 450 bedded hospitals at Kodagu and Karwar which in progress will be completed in the current year.Also, I have approved the construction of a hospital with 500-bed capacity at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute of Bengaluru - Bommai
11.05 am - Ram Mandir in Ramanagar, Rs 1,000 crore for temples, maths - CM
11.02 am - Our government has provided a total of Rs 25,000 crore to the irrigation sector in the current year. And, a total grant of Rs 39,031 crore for agriculture and allied activities in the year 2023-24 - Bommai
10.59 am - Rs 1,000 crore will be released to commence works on Kalasa-Bandoora Nala Thiruvu Yojane: CM
10.53 am - The present government has taken the historic decision in respect of constituting a Tribunal for fixing uniform rates for land acquisition under phase-3 of UKP that has been pending for the last several years. Rs 5000 crore will be released for speedy compensation to farmers and land owners: Bommai
10.45 am - The state has also brought down the fiscal deficit to 2.6 percent of GSDP. As per the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the fiscal deficit needs to be below 3 per cent. The fiscaldeficit is expected to be Rs 60,581 crore: CM
10.36 am - I am happy to announce Karnataka registered revenue surplus. Karnataka's Budget is Rs 3.09 lakh crore, with gross borrowings of Rs 77,750 crore. Also,Karnataka's tax revenue grew by 20 percent: Bommai
10.30 am - We have allocated funds to offer compensation to farmers, who suffered losses due to disease-affected Toor dal, Arecanut plantations: CM
10.26 am - I thank the Central government for allocating funds for the Upper Bhadra project and other railway projects in the state. This is an example of 'double-engine' progress: CM
10.22 am - This budget will create a conducive environment for economic progress: Bommai
10.20 am - I feel privileged to present Karnataka Budget for the second time: CM
Earlier report
Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 17: Chief minister (CM) Basavaraj Bommai will present the budget for the year 2023-24 at 10.15 am on Friday February 17.
The officials of the finance department handed over the copy of budge of fiscal 2023-24 to CM. ISN Prasad, Ekroop Kaur, Jafar and other officials of finance department were present.
Earlier, Bommai offered special poojas at Sri Kanteshwara temple of Muttappa Block of R T Nagar of Bengaluru and Maruti temple at Balabruyi before presenting the budget of 2023-24.
This will be Bommai’s second budget, and the BJP government’s last in the current term. The CM is likely to make some big-ticket announcements like welfare schemes and fulfilment of the demands of several key communities, with an eye on the Assembly election likely to be held in April-May. In addition, Bengaluru, with its perennial traffic woes and flooding issues, is likely to get an infrastructural push in the budget.
After presenting deficit budgets for the past couple of years due to Covid induced financial stress, the CM is expected to present a surplus budget this year. Being the last budget ahead of polls, opposition parties are expecting it to be a populist budget ahead of polls in April-May.
Live updates shortly.