Karnataka Budget highlights: CM announces ‘please all’ budget ahead of polls

With the state to go for polls in less than four months, the Karnataka government, in its last state budget ahead of the elections announced what political observers call a ‘please all’ budget.

"Ours is a government which has delivered on the promises we made. A son of a poor farmer is getting a chance to present his 13th budget. I bow to Dr BR Ambedkar for this. Karnataka's GSDP growth zooms from 7.5% in 2016-17 to 8.5% in 2017-18. This shows that the state's economy is in excellent shape," said Siddaramaiah.

Putting emphasis on the government’s commitment to farmers, the chief minister said, “I'm a farmer's son and I know the problems faced by the farmers.”

“I picture the person who needs help, the farmer who needs hope and the girl who has a dream. I am guided by Basavanna, Ambedkar, Gandhi," the CM added.

To provide debt relief to farmers affected by successive droughts, the Karnataka government announced a debt waiver scheme with a total implication of Rs 8165 cr, which will benefit 22,27,506 farmers.

“Farmers can get a loan of Rs 10 lakh at 3% interest. To provide debt relief to farmers affected by successive droughts, there will be a loan waiver scheme with a total implication of Rs.8165 cr, benefiting 22,27,506 farmers,” the CM announced.

This year’s budget estimate saw an increase of 12.12% as compared to the estimate of Rs 1,86,561 crore for 2017-18.

The government also announced that it would ensure employment to job seekers and set aside for Rs 794 for skill development and entrepreneurship.

In the budget, Bengaluru got an allocation of Rs 2500 crore.

An additional 1000 beds will be added at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. An allocation of Rs 50 crore was announced for the rejuvenation of the Bellandur lake.

The budget also had many initiatives for the upliftment of women.

CM Siddaramaiah also announced many sops for SCs, STs, OBCs and other minorities.

Here are the other highlights of the election budget:

• ‘Raitha Belaku’ scheme will be implemented to protect the interest of dryland farmers. Direct transfer of Rs 5,000 per hectare subject to a maximum of Rs.10,000 to each farmer growing rain-fed crops. Will benefit 70 lakh farmers.This will be done at an expenditure of Rs 3,500 crore.
• A new Agricultural College in Chamarajnagar district, an Agriculture Research Centre in Vijayapura district’s Muddebihala and a Nanjundaswamy Research Chair at GKVK, Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 1 crore will be established
• For the development of Bengaluru City, Rs 2,500 crore has been allocated for the preparatory works relating to the action plans
• A 1,000-bed additional ward will be constructed at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
• A multi-storied parking space on PPP model will be constructed at Gandhi Bazaar, near Sukhsagar Hotel in Gandhinagar, near Koramangala 4th stage, near Jayanagar Complex and in Corporation head office premises
• Allocations under Smart City project for Bengaluru include - action plan to be constituted for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Suburban Rail with a central grant and state’s share of Rs 500 crore each; 25 major roads to be developed based on Tender SURE model, historical K R Market commercial center to be rejuvenated, Composite Traffic Center to be set up in Shivajinagar, Cubbon Park, Swathantrapalya, Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank to be developed, and KC  General Hospital to be modernized
• Action plan to prepare a detailed project report for 105.55 km length line under ‘Bengaluru Metro Phase-3’
• Rs 120 cr has been allocated for maintenance of Indira Canteens under BBMP’s jurisdiction
• Rs 50 crore allocated for the rejuvenation of Bellandur Lake
• Incentive of Rs 5 lakh for girl child of devadasi and Rs 3 lakh for male child of devadasi as marriage assistance announced
• Rs 3 lakh for an SC boy marrying a girl from another caste and Rs 5 lakh for an SC girl marrying a boy from another caste
• 25% reservation announced for backward classes and minority students in SC/ST post-matric hostels
• Free education to girls studying in PUC, degree & PG courses in government colleges, with a budgetary allocation of Rs. 95 cr for 2018-19. 3.7 lakh girl students to benefit.
• Students across Karnataka to get free bus pass
• 100 integrated ‘Karnataka Public Schools’ will be opened at Rs 5 lakh per school – with a total expenditure of Rs 5 crore – to provide quality education under one roof in government schools. Bharat Scouts and Guides Units will be opened in these schools.
•  CCTV cameras will be installed in a phased manner in government primary and secondary schools for safety of children
• Installation of CCTV cameras in 1000 buses of BMTC under Nirbhaya Scheme for the safety of women
• 30 bus stations, 8 bus depots and 325 bus shelters will be upgraded
• 10 double-decker buses through Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation between cities will be operated for the first time in the country
• ‘Kalaburagi Kalavana’ will be constructed to reflect the art, culture and heritage of north Karnataka
• There will be comprehensive tourism amenities at heritage tourism destinations like Hampi, Beluru-Halebeedu, Shravanabelagola, Nandi Hills, Sannathi and Kalaburagi Fort
• ‘Arogya Karnataka Yojane’ (Universal Health Coverage) will be implemented in 2018 to make available primary and specific secondary and tertiary treatment to all people of the State
• Implementation of ‘Madhyama Sanjeevini’, a group insurance scheme to all journalists with an insurance coverage upto Rs 5 lakh in case of untimely death due to accidents or casualties
• Increase the existing rates of Additional Excise Duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor by 8% (from 2nd slab to 18th slab)