Amidst high drama in the Karnataka Assembly, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy presented the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal. As expected, the coalition government announced an increase in excise duty on beer, draught beer, and beer and low alcohol beverages manufactured in micro breweries. The government has established Rs 20,950 crore target of collection of revenue from the excise department in the 2019-20 fiscal.
The budget also announced a slew of initiatives for farmers including additional allocations made for farmers in Old Mysuru region. However, in order to rid the government of the "Hassan-Holenarasipura budget" tag, the state government also allocated Rs 5 crore to encourage farmers of coastal and Malnad region to cultivate paddy.
The government has also set a target of Rs 7,100 crore as the revenue to be collected from transport agencies. The budget, however, does not mention, whether there will be an increase in bus and metro fares.
Read: Amid drought, HDK announces Rs 900 crore relief for K’taka farmers
The budget resembled the one announced in 2018-19 with the coalition government replicating several schemes started by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. However, this year's budget had no mention of the 'Raitha Belaku' scheme, which was started by Siddaramaiah in 2018.
Primary, secondary and higher education
The government has proposed to construct of 1,500 new classrooms, upgrade 5,000 classrooms, distribute learning equipment to 1,000 schools and appointment of one Estate Manager for the maintenance of school buildings.
The government is also planning to make CET exam an online one. The budget also proposes the bifurcation of Visvesvaraya Technology University (VTU). One of the headquarters of VTU will also be shifted to Hassan.
The budget also had unimaginative allocations for public schools and colleges, with barely any funds for the sector.
Health and family welfare
After the outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or monkey fever, the government has proposed the establishment of Kyasanuru Forest Disease Research and Treatment Unit at Shivamogga District Hospital at a cost of Rs 5 crore
A grant of Rs 950 crore for “Ayushman Bharath-Arogyakara Karnataka” has been allocated by the state government, which is more than the Rs 409 crore by the Central government for the 2019-20 fiscal, Kumaraswamy announced.
Kumaraswamy also announced the construction of a cancer hospital in Tumakuru at the cost of Rs 60 crore.
ASHA workers have been allocated Rs 25 crore for the enhancement of their pay by Rs 500 per week which will come into effect on November 1, 2019.
Medical education
The government has proposed the construction of 450-bed hospitals in Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, and Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru at the cost of Rs 350 crore.
The budget also proposes the construction of a separate 300 bed hospital of Sri Jayadeva Cardiology Institute at Kalaburagi under the Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Since the coalition government came to power, this is the second time Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has allocated grants for Jayadeva Hospital, where his brother-in-law Dr CN Manjunath is a director.
Women and child welfare
A grant of Rs 470 crore has been set aside for the Chief Minister Mathrushree scheme and the monthly grant to pregnant women has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. This will be effective from November 1, 2019.
The government has also proposed to enhance the honorarium being paid to Anganawadi workers by Rs 500 and by Rs 250 to the helpers with effect from November 1, 2019. The budget has allocated Rs 3 crore for conversion of the Juvenile Special Courts of 10 districts into Child Friendly Courts.
Commerce and industries
A “Tumakuru Industrial Node” is being set up across 9,629 acres of land at Vasanthanarasapura in Tumakuru District under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Project.
The government is also planning to implement a rail-based multi modal transport system between Vasanthanarasapura, Tumakuru, Ramanagar and Bengaluru along a separate track.
The Karnataka government has proposed a new Industrial Policy for attracting investment, new technologies and generation of additional employment in the priority sectors of the backward areas of Tier-2 and Tier-3 centers.
A grant of Rs 110 crore has been set aside for the Chief Minister's ambitious “Compete with China” scheme.
The government is also planning to organise “Global Capital Investment Conference” in January 2020 and also develop industrial areas in Arasikere, Nagamangala, Chittapur, Mulavad, Kanagala and Madhugiri through Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board.