<p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday Karnataka ranks first in per capita income as the state achieved a growth of 101% — from Rs 1,01,858 at constant prices in 2013-14 to Rs 2,04,605 in 2024–25. </p>.<p>In addition, Karnataka ranked second in foreign investments in 2024–25, attracting Rs 56,030 crore. </p>.<p>In his speech on the 79th Independence Day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about the “Karnataka model of development,” highlighting the state’s success in balancing robust economic growth with inclusive social schemes, a model he said has received global recognition from figures like the UN General Assembly President, Philemon Yang. </p>.<p>The 35-minute speech mentioned his administration’s commitment to social democracy and welfare. </p>.<p>A central theme of the CM’s speech was the government’s five flagship guarantee schemes: Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and Yuva Nidhi. He presented an economic argument for their necessity, citing national surveys which reveal that the wealthiest 10% of the population contribute only 3% of the GST, while the remaining 90% bear the burden of 97%. This inequality, he asserted, is what the guarantee schemes are designed to address, aligning with the constitutional spirit of social democracy. </p>.<p>Siddaramaiah provided statistics to back his claims, stating that the government has allocated over Rs 96,000 crore for the schemes.</p>.<p>He noted the Shakti scheme has recorded 500 crore free trips by women on government buses, and credited the schemes with a 23% increase in women’s workforce participation.</p>.<p>He also lauded the Transport Department’s induction of 5,049 new buses and the recruitment of 8,473 personnel to enhance public transport capacity. </p>.<p>The chief minister highlighted a total of Rs 1.12 lakh crore being spent on welfare measures, including scholarships, pensions, and subsidies, demonstrating a firm commitment to the welfare state. He said the Yettinahole drinking water project would be completed by 2027 and flagged “urea shortages from the Centre”. </p>.<p>He said the state was developing 18 Special Investment Regions and aimed to open 500 Karnataka Public Schools this year. The state’s maternal mortality rate has fallen 26%, he added. </p>.<p><strong>Push for social justice</strong></p>.<p>Drawing on the wisdom of B R Ambedkar, the chief minister contrasted his government’s philosophy of “Samvidhanvad,” prioritising the weakest with what he called the ideology of “Manuvad,” which he likened to Social Darwinism. He reiterated the government’s commitment to conducting a socio-educational survey of backward classes and implementing internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes. </p>.<p><strong>Tensions with Centre</strong></p>.<p>In urban development, Siddaramaiah mentioned projects worth over Rs 1.35 lakh crore for Bengaluru, including tunnel roads and new metro lines. He also announced the decision to grant ‘A’ Khatas to eligible property owners to resolve the long-pending ‘B’ Khata issue. The state’s pioneering wastewater reuse model, he noted, has received national and international acclaim. He criticised the union Government, alleging “discrimination in the distribution of resources” and raising concerns about the functioning of central agencies. </p>
<p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday Karnataka ranks first in per capita income as the state achieved a growth of 101% — from Rs 1,01,858 at constant prices in 2013-14 to Rs 2,04,605 in 2024–25. </p>.<p>In addition, Karnataka ranked second in foreign investments in 2024–25, attracting Rs 56,030 crore. </p>.<p>In his speech on the 79th Independence Day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about the “Karnataka model of development,” highlighting the state’s success in balancing robust economic growth with inclusive social schemes, a model he said has received global recognition from figures like the UN General Assembly President, Philemon Yang. </p>.<p>The 35-minute speech mentioned his administration’s commitment to social democracy and welfare. </p>.<p>A central theme of the CM’s speech was the government’s five flagship guarantee schemes: Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and Yuva Nidhi. He presented an economic argument for their necessity, citing national surveys which reveal that the wealthiest 10% of the population contribute only 3% of the GST, while the remaining 90% bear the burden of 97%. This inequality, he asserted, is what the guarantee schemes are designed to address, aligning with the constitutional spirit of social democracy. </p>.<p>Siddaramaiah provided statistics to back his claims, stating that the government has allocated over Rs 96,000 crore for the schemes.</p>.<p>He noted the Shakti scheme has recorded 500 crore free trips by women on government buses, and credited the schemes with a 23% increase in women’s workforce participation.</p>.<p>He also lauded the Transport Department’s induction of 5,049 new buses and the recruitment of 8,473 personnel to enhance public transport capacity. </p>.<p>The chief minister highlighted a total of Rs 1.12 lakh crore being spent on welfare measures, including scholarships, pensions, and subsidies, demonstrating a firm commitment to the welfare state. He said the Yettinahole drinking water project would be completed by 2027 and flagged “urea shortages from the Centre”. </p>.<p>He said the state was developing 18 Special Investment Regions and aimed to open 500 Karnataka Public Schools this year. The state’s maternal mortality rate has fallen 26%, he added. </p>.<p><strong>Push for social justice</strong></p>.<p>Drawing on the wisdom of B R Ambedkar, the chief minister contrasted his government’s philosophy of “Samvidhanvad,” prioritising the weakest with what he called the ideology of “Manuvad,” which he likened to Social Darwinism. He reiterated the government’s commitment to conducting a socio-educational survey of backward classes and implementing internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes. </p>.<p><strong>Tensions with Centre</strong></p>.<p>In urban development, Siddaramaiah mentioned projects worth over Rs 1.35 lakh crore for Bengaluru, including tunnel roads and new metro lines. He also announced the decision to grant ‘A’ Khatas to eligible property owners to resolve the long-pending ‘B’ Khata issue. The state’s pioneering wastewater reuse model, he noted, has received national and international acclaim. He criticised the union Government, alleging “discrimination in the distribution of resources” and raising concerns about the functioning of central agencies. </p>
