Karnataka budget: VAT on alcohol abolished, cinema tickets to become cheaper

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today presented his 12th budget in Bengaluru. This is the 5th budget as a chief minister of the state.

Here are the higlights of the budget

*Rice quota under 'Anna Bhagya scheme' has been increased to 7kg from 5kg

* Multiplexces to charge maximum of Rs 200 from the customers

*Govt to implement seventh pay commission recommendations for state govt employees

*Mekedatu dam project to be implemented by govt

*49 new taluks announced in 21 districts

*8 TMC treated water from Koramangala STP to be supplied to Kolar and Chikkaballapura

*25 lakh farmers in state to get 13,500 agricultural loans

*Namma Canteen' on the lines of Tamil Nadu's 'Amma Canteen' announced in the state

*Women self-help groups to run 'Saviruchi Sanchari Canteens'

*Anganawadi children to get eggs twice a week

*To support Coconut growers 'Neera policy' has been approved

*Karnataka stand first in 'Horticulture' in the year 2016

*Karnataka One Centre, on the lines on Bengaluru One to be set up in 9 districts

*6 new govt medical colleges in Karwar, Kodagu, Chamrajnagara, Bidar, and Koppala

*Additional excise on liquor abolished

*Vat on beer, wine, fenny and hard liquor has been lifted

*Cloud seeding at Rs 30 crore to tackle drought situation

*New airports to be constructed in Karwara, Madikeri and Chikkamagaluru

*Rs175 crore granted for Baahubali's Mahamastakaabhisheka in Sharavanabelagola

*Govt to construct film city in Himmavu, near Mysuru for the development of Kannada film industry

*Tax on two wheelers costing above 1lakh hiked to 18% from 12%

*New university to come up in Raichuru

*Subsidy of Rs 30,000 for purchasing LPG driven auto-rickshaws

*1.5 lakhs Engineering and Medical students to get free laptops

* Multiplex theaters should mandatorily screen Kannada and regional language films in one screen in prime time between 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm

* Road Safety Authority will be constituted, to reduce road accidents and to improve road safety.

* Free gas connection for 5 lakh poor families not covered under the Ujjvala scheme.

*Govt introduced downloadable apps to fight crime against women and children

*Second terminal at Kempegowda airport to be constructed within this year