Karnataka Budget 2019: Here are the key takeaways

Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy presented his second budget today, amid a walkout by opposition BJP. The budget had a lot of things in store for the Bengalurean. Here are 18 key takeaways:

Bengaluru Mobility Scheme: In a bid to address traffic woes, a grant of Rs 50 crore announced for implementation of a comprehensive mobility scheme with priority for public transport and stabilization.

Bengaluru development: The government announced its plans to convert Commercial Street and Brigade Road in pedestrian roads. Implementation of Nava Bengaluru Kriya Yojane at an estimated cost of Rs 8,015 crore, of which Rs 2,300 crore will be granted in the year 2019-20. It also announced a grant of Rs.1,000 crore to construct elevated corridors in the year 2019-20.

Bengaluru Sub-Urban Rail System: The government announces sub-urban rail services in Bengaluru at a total estimated cost of Rs 23,093 crore. For this purpose, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) -- Bengaluru Rail Infrastructure Development Entity (B-RIDE) – will be created under State and Central Government partnership. Also announces metro line from Central Silk Board (CSB) junction to the Outer Ring Road-Airport through KR Puram, Hebbal at a cost of Rs 16,579 crore.
Other than this the government announced the construction of Peripheral Ring Road in Bengaluru with an estimated cost of Rs 17,200 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore being spent in the year 2019-20.
Total receipts pegged at Rs 2,30,738 crore of which Revenue receipts are Rs 1,81,863 crore, Public debt is Rs 48,601 crore and Capital receipts are Rs 48,876 crore
Total expenditure pegged at Rs.2,34,153 crore, of which revenue expenditure is Rs 1,81,605 crore. capital expenditure is Rs 42,584 crore and loan repayment at Rs 9,964 crore.

Agriculture: Announces grant of Rs 250 crore to Krushi Bhagya scheme. Announces grading of Organic and Zero budget farm produce, encouragement to grading and packaging and branding units; 50% subsidy to eligible entrepreneurs and startup entrepreneurs with a grant of Rs 2 crore. Also allocates Rs 145 crore for Israel model farming scheme. The budget also offers growers of minor millets with a cash incentive of Rs 10,000 per hectare under “Raitha Siri” scheme. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also announces a grant of Rs 368 crore for “Mukhyamanthrigala Sukshma Neeravari Yojane”, during the year 2019-20. The special package of Rs 150 crore announced to improve the economic condition of pomegranate and grape growers. The incentive to milk producers set to increase from Rs 5 per litre to Rs 6 per litre at a cost of Rs 1,459 crore. Expenditure of Rs 638 crore announced under Ksheera Bhagya scheme for school going children and Rs 405 crore for Anganavadi children. The total expenditure of Rs 2,502 crore announced for the welfare of milk producers.
Announces a grant worth Rs 17,212 crore to the Water Resource Department for 2019-20. It includes grants for Lift Irrigation Projects, Tank filling projects, Comprehensive Tank Development Works, and Micro irrigation projects, among others

Education: The state government said that it would establish 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools in the next four years in Hobli Headquarters to provide education under one roof from pre-primary level to 12th class. The government also said that it will adopt new learning methods in higher education through Next Generation Learning Initiative at Bengaluru Central University. In a bid to modernise infrastructure in schools, the government also announced the construction of 1,500 new classrooms, upgradation of 5.000 classrooms, Distribution of learning equipment to 1,000 schools and appointment of one Estate Manager for the maintenance of school buildings.

Health and family welfare: Announces a grant of Rs 950 crore for “Ayushman Bharath – Arogyakara Karnataka” by the State. This is more than double of Rs 409 crore granted by the Central Government for the year 2019-20. Also announces the establishment of Cancer hospital in the premises of Tumakuru district. Kumaraswamy also said that honorarium to ASHA workers will be increased by Rs 500. Also announces the construction of a 450-bed hospital in the Kidwai Institute of Cancer premises at Bengaluru with a private partnership at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Other than this, the government also announced the construction of three further 450-bed hospitals – one in Bengaluru, one in Karwar and one in Kodagu.

Women and child welfare: Enhancement of the monthly grant from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 under “Chief Minister Mathrushree Scheme” announced by the state government. The government also committed to opening of 100 new Anganawadi Centres in urban areas. Also, the government committed to the establishment of manufacturing units by providing entrepreneurship and skill development training to 1,000 oppressed women with a grant of Rs 11.5 crore.

Social Welfare: A whopping grant of Rs 30,445 crore announced under Special Component Sub-Plan and Scheduled Tribe Sub- Plan. This includes, among other things, the establishment of IIT/NEET coaching centres in 4 Morarji PU Residential colleges for backward classes at the Divisional Level, for which grant of Rs 4 crore has been provided. Announcesupgradationof skills of 25,000 women workers and trainers belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe at garment factories for a cost of Rs 37.5 crore.

Minority welfare: Provides Rs 400 crore for completion of developmental works undertaken for providing basic infrastructure facilities in the areas predominantly inhabited by minorities. Also allocates Rs 25 crore to Maulana Azad Trust for the education of Muslims. Also announces the formation of Christian Development Corporation at the cost of Rs 200 crore.
Housing: The government sets a big target of completing 4 lakh houses which are in progress under different housing schemes, during 2019-20.

Skill development: Commits to the training of 70,000 new candidates on skills at a cost of Rs 90 crore.

Food and civil supplies: The state government announced a grant of Rs 3,700 crore to distribute food grains to more than 4.07 crore beneficiaries under ‘Annabhagya’ scheme.
Planning and Area Development: In line with recommendations of the Nanjundappa Committee report, the government announced Rs 3,010 crore grants for the development of identified most backward and more backward taluks under the Special Development Programme. It also announced a grant of Rs 1,500 crore to the Hyderabad- Karnataka Development Board.

Urban Development: Announces total expenditure of Rs 1,325 crore under the “Mahatma Gandhi City Development Programme”, along with a grant of Rs.150 crore each for Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Hubballi-Dharwad.