Karnataka Budget Highlights | Budget imposes financial burden on people, says former CM Bommai

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Watch CM Siddaramaiah present Budget 2025-26

Siddaramaiah to present his 16th Budget today; speech starts at 10:15 AM

New AI policy with Rs 200-cr outlay may be announced in Karnataka Budget

Once the budget is approved by the legislature, the IT/BT Ministry, under Minister Priyank Kharge, will start working on the framework, a source said.

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What is expected in the Karnataka Budget

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

- Siddaramaiah is expected to present an outlay of nearly Rs 4 lakh crore as he will look to provide for infrastructure creation by stabilising expenditure on the 'guarantee' schemes.

- The CM is also likely to announce resource mobilisation measures.

- Bengaluru may get a fiscal bonanza of up to Rs 5,000 crore.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Superstitious CM Siddaramaiah to start budget speech before Rahu Kaala

CM Siddaramaiah with finance department officials . The 2025-26 Budget, which he is scheduled to present at 10.15 am.

CM Siddaramaiah, who is set to present the record-breaking 16th budget for Karnataka has reportedly preponed the speech to avoid Rahu Kalaa.

Rahu Kaala, is considered a highly inauspicious to start any new venture.

As per Hindu mythology, this timeframe is ruled by Rahu, the mythical serpent head that swallows the Sun, and causes solar eclipses.

So, the budget speech scheduled to start at 11:00 am has been rescheduled to 10:15 am.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | BJP mocks CM Siddaramaiah ahead of 2025 budget presentation

Anticipating minroty appeasement in the upcoming budget, Karnataka BJP took to X platform to mock CM Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Grateful to Karnataka people to giving me opportunity to present record 16th Budget, says CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

"Today, I am ready to present the 16th budget of my political career. I am grateful to all the people of Karnataka for giving me the opportunity to present the budget of this state sixteen times," said CM Siddaramaiah ahead of budget presentation on platform X.

"Believing in the aspirations of Buddha, Basava, Gandhi and Ambedkar, and acting accordingly, we have made an effort to take a further step towards realizing the dream of an equal society through this budget. There is no doubt that this budget will be a beacon for the comprehensive development of the state for the next one year, " CM added

Karnataka Budget LIVE | CM Siddaramaiah quotes poems from Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu and other popular poets as he begins the budget 2025-26 presentation

CM Siddaramaiah requests Speaker to allow him to present the budget while seated in the chair, as he is recovering from knee surgery.

CM Siddaramaiah quotes poems from Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu and other popular poets as he begins the budget 2025-26 presentation.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | State GDP has grown by 7.4%

CM Siddaramaiah said that the Karnataka state GDP has grown by 7.4% and also the agriculture has also witnessed growth by 4%, which is more than national average growth.

India's GDP growth for 2024-25 was 6.5 per cent. And, Karnataka's contribution is 8.4 per cent.

State government has brought in new policies to bring more employments up to 20 lakh people.

Karnataka Budget LIVE |Government has urged centre to give 50 per cent tax back to the state's contribution, says CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister's Infrastructure Development Programme will be launched with Rs 8,000 crore for construction of roads, minor irrigation and other infrastructure projects across all assembly constituencies

Govt to allocate Rs 51,034 crore five guarantee schemes this fiscal year, says CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Budget LIVE | CM announces new welfare schemes for minorities

-- An additional building in Haj Bhavan at Bengaluru will be constructed to provide with facilities and amenities to Haj pilgrims and their relatives.

-- Action has been taken to construct 15 women's colleges in vacant plots of Waqf institutions to support higher education of minority women in the year 2024-25. Further, 16 new women's colleges will be started during 2025-26.

-- Select 100 Urdu medium schools with the highest enrolment run by the Education Department will be strengthened by allocating Rs. 100 crore in the present year out of the total upgradation cost of Rs.400 crore for providing basic facilities in line with Karnataka Public Schools to enhance learning standard and these schools will be upgraded as Maulana Azad Public Schools.

-- Action Plan for Rs. 1,000 crore has been prepared under ‘Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Programme’. Works will be implemented in the FY 2025-26.

-- To promote simple marriages amongst the economically backward minority communities, an amount of Rs 50,000 will be provided as expenses for each couple to NGOs who organise such Mass marriages.

-- An amount of Rs.2 crore has been provided to create necessary infrastructure in the Gurudwaras of the State.

-- A Buddhist Study Academy will be established in Bengaluru. The 100-year-old library at the Mahabodhi Study Centre in Bengaluru will be digitalized and upgraded at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

-- Grants worth Rs.100 crore have been earmarked for the Comprehensive development of Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities. Rs.250 crore will be provided for the development of Christian community.

-- The honorarium given to Jain priests, Chief Grantis of Sikhs and Pesh-Imams of mosques will be enhanced to Rs 6,000 per month. The honorarium given to Assistant Granti and Muezzin will be increased to Rs 5,000 per month.

-- A Sannati Development Authority will be established in the ancient Buddhist centre of Sannati in Chittapura taluka of Kalaburgi district.

-- Multi-purpose halls will be constructed across the state for the minority communities to organize cultural and social activities. The halls will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh at hobli and taluk level and Rs. 1 crore at district headquarters and city corporation areas.

Karnataka Budget LIVE |A small protest inside at visitor gallery disrupts CM budget speech

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Agriculture schemes

-- Under Farm Mechanization Scheme, government to offer assistance of Rs 428 crore to 50,000 farmers  

-- Government to allocate Rs 440 crore to 1.81 lakh farmers to adopt micro-irrigation in rain-fed areas. 

-- Under Krishi Bhagya scheme, Government plans to build 12,000 new farm ponds across the state

-- Government allocates Rs 25 crore for the development of agriculture university in Mandya

-- At the Bengaluru's GKVK (Gandhi Krishi Vighyana Kendra) campus, govt to set up Plant Phenotyping Facility

-- Government to set up Organic and Millet Hub at the cost of Rs 20 crore. 

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Health and Family Welfare schemes

In the year 2025-26 the following health infrastructure improvement projects will be implemented:

--Rs 320 crore allocated to prevent maternal mortality in the state

--A state-of-the-art and well equipped 200 bedded hospital will be constructed at a cost of Rs.150 crore in Bengaluru North Taluk.

-- PHCs of the newly announced taluks of Hanur, Alanavar, Annigeri, Maski, Sirivar, Kapu, Babaleshwar, Kolhar, Cheluru and Terdal will be upgraded to Community Health Centres. A new CHC will be established in Ponnampet.

--Taluka Hospitals in Maluru, Magadi, Kushalanagar, Koratagere, Jagaluru, Savanuru, Ramadurga and Savadatti and district hospital in Davangere and Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru will & renovated at a cost of Rs.650 crore.

-- It is proposed to establish a new Medica college at Puttur. To this end, action will be initiated to upgrade the present 100-bedded Taluka hospital during this year.

-- a 200-bedded hospital will be established at Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district and a 400-bedded hospital will be established at Virajapete in Kodagu district.

-- Community Health Centre at Tagaduru in Mysuru district will be upgraded to a 100-bedded hospital.

-- District and Taluk hospitals which require extensive repairs will be renovated at a cost of Rs. 183 crore in a phased manner.

-- To provide quality health services, to improve the health indicators and strengthen health systems in Kalyana Karnataka region under the Kalyana Karnataka Comprehensive

-- Health Scheme several initiatives have been undertaken at the cost of Rs. 873 crore.

-- Cashless treatment up to a cost of Rs.5 lakh will be provided to more than 3 lakh employees and their dependents working in different government departments on contract, outsourced and on honorarium basis through Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust with a monthly contribution of Rs 100 from employees and Rs 200 from the government.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Under Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, Govt spent Rs Rs 28,608 crore in 2024-25

During 2024-25 Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, financial assistance was successfully provided to 1.22 crore women heads of households at a cost of Rs 28,608 crore.

---The monthly honorarium given to anganawadi workers will be enhanced by Rs.1,000 and to anganawadi helpers by Rs.750. These workers and helpers play a crucial role in the care and learning of 37 lakh children in the State.

-- Under the ‘Sakshama Anganawadi Scheme’, 17,454 anganawadi centers of the state will be provided with additional facilities at a cost of Rs. 1 lakh each at a total cost of Rs. 175 crore.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Bangalore City University will be renamed as Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University

To make this a model university in the country, Government Arts College and Government R.C. College will be made constituent colleges of this University.

-- Under the initiative to strengthen women’s higher education institutions, action has been taken to upgrade 31 such institutions during last year. Infrastructure in the remaining 26 institutions will be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 26 crore.

-- Action will be taken to fill the 2,000 vacant teaching posts in Government First Grade Colleges, Engineering Colleges, and Polytechnics.

-- Essential basic infrastructure will be provided at a cost of Rs.275 crore

in government engineering colleges, polytechnics and degree colleges.

-- Newly started Polytechnics and Engineering Colleges will be provided with furniture, equipment, computers and books at a cost of Rs. 10 crore.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Improvements to Medical Education in Karnataka

Following initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen the Medical Education department:

--- A total of 114 modular operation theatres have been installed at a cost of Rs. 177 crore and 64 anaesthesia workstations have been installed at a cost of Rs. 34 crore.

-- A super-speciality cardiac unit with a Cathlab facility has been established at Gadag Medical College for Rs. 10 crore.

-- A Mother and Child Hospital has been established at a cost of Rs.92 crore and Jayadeva Cardiology Hospital has been started at a cost of Rs.304 crore in Kalaburagi.

-- The building of Nephro-Urology Institute in Bengaluru, taken up at the cost of Rs.26 crore will be completed and dedicated to public service.

-- It is envisaged to establish a constituent medical college of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bagalkot and a Medical College on PPP basis in Kolar.

-- A Cancer Diagnosis Unit will be started in Bidar Government Medical College hospital.

-- A 500-bedded hospital taken up at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital will be completed at a cost of Rs.297 crore.

-- Institutes modelled on NIMHANS will be established at Mysuru and Kalaburagi Medical Colleges each at a cost of Rs. 100 crore.

-- A super-speciality hospital will be set up under Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences at a cost of Rs.100 crore.

-- A Kidwai Peripheral Cancer treatment Unit will be set up on the campus of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur at a cost of Rs. 50 crore.

-- New nursing colleges will be established in Yalburga, Jevargi and Yadgir out of KKRDB funds at a cost of Rs. 6 crore each.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Welfare schemes for SC/STs

--In the year 2025-26 a total of Rs 42,018 crore has been provided under Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal (SCSPTSP).

Sub-Plan including Rs. 29,992 for Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Rs. 12,026 crore for Tribal Sub-Plan.

-- Under the provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, the reservation provided to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, Category-IIA and Category-IIB contractors in works will be increased to Rs. 2 crore.

-- Under the provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, reservation will be provided in procurement of goods and services under various Government departments, corporations and institutions to suppliers belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, Category-IIA and Category-IIB up to Rs. 1 crore.

--Under the Pragati Colony Scheme, development works worth Rs. 559 crore have been approved to provide necessary infrastructure in Scheduled Castes colonies in the state during the year 2024-25.

-- An allocation of Rs.222 crores will be provided during the FY 2025-26 to complete these works.

--With an aim to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes communities, 33 special police stations have been started under the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.

-- With the aim of encouraging Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes students to pursue higher education, 31 residential schools, one in each district will be upgraded as PU colleges.

-- In hoblis which do not have residential schools, 26 new Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes residential schools will be started.

-- Own buildings for a total of 61 KREIS residential schools including 40 Scheduled Castes, 7 Scheduled Tribes and 14 Backward Classes residential schools for which land is available will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,292 crore.

Schedule Tribes Welfare

-- Under Student Scholarship Programme, scholarship amount of Rs.120 crore has been sanctioned to a total of 3,67,281 pre-matric and post-matric students during year 2024-25. This programme will be continued.

-- Under the Nutritious Food Scheme, food kits are being given to 47,859 families belonging to 12 Scheduled Tribe communities living in and on the fringes of forests at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

-- 7th standard classes will be started from 2025-26 in 78 Tribal Residential Schools established for promoting tribal education. Five residential schools in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru and Kodagu Districts will be upgraded to class 12.

-- 20 new Scheduled Tribe Post-Matric Hostels will be started in the FY 2025-26.

-- In order to help Large Area Multi-Purpose Societies (LAMPS) to procure and process minor forest produce, working capital subsidy of Rs.5 Lakh each will be provided.

-- It is envisaged to establish a Tribal Museum in the campus of Tribal Research Institute in Mysuru city to showcase the Tribal Culture of the State.

-- The Scheduled Tribes of Soliga, Halasa, Jenukuruba, Gowdalu, Siddi, Kudiya, Malekudiya, Kadukuruba, Iruliga, Koraga, Bettakuruba, Yerava, Paniyan etc. living in tribal hamlets in forests and forest fringes are deprived of basic facilities. Rs.200 crore will be set aside to provide these tribes with basic infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads, drains etc.

-- Action will be taken for Special Direct Recruitment of 13 forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes of Soliga, Halasa, Jenukuruba, Gowdalu, Siddi, Kudiya, Malekudiya, Kadukuruba, Iruliga, Koraga, Bettakuruba, Yerava, Paniyan to give these communities representation in State Civil Services.

Backward Classes Welfare

-- Backward classes hostels will be provided with necessary infrastructure at a cost of Rs. 50 crore.

-- Own buildings will be constructed for 30 Post-matric hostels of the Backward Classes Welfare Department which are currently functioning in rented buildings.

-- D. Devaraja Urs Residential Schools will be started by KRIES in each of the four revenue divisions of the state for students belonging to 46 nomadic and semi – nomadic communities belonging to backward classes. These communities are considered the most backward among the backward communities and are deprived of educational facilities.

-- Various development works will be taken up in Sangolli of Bailahongala taluk and Nandagada of Khanapura taluk up by Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna Authority in a phased manner at a cost of Rs. 28 crore.

-- To aid the education of backward classes students studying in Engineering and Medical colleges 2 Post-matric hostels will be started in each district of the State with a total of 62 hostels. Rs. 15 crore has been provided in FY 2025-26. Out of these, 10 engineering hostels will be constructed by the Backward Classes Welfare Department in collaboration with Vishveshwaraiah Technological University in 50:50 funding ratio.

-- Rs. 25 crore will be provided for building repairs of backward class hostels having their own buildings.

-- Rs. 100 crore will be provided for comprehensive development of nomadic and semi – nomadic community colonies. Land ownership scheme will be implemented for nomadic and semi – nomadic communities belonging to backward classes. Along with this skill training will also be provided from Skill Development Department.

-- Two well-equipped hostels for boys and girls will be constructed in Bengaluru City to provide residential training to backward classes candidates for competitive examinations such as IAS, IPS, KAS, KSPS etc.

-- In the allotment of industrial sites/lands under Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, 20% of land will be reserved in each industrial area for Category-I, IIA and IIB communities. A time of one year will be given for making the full payment after the initial deposit is made.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Food, Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs

--The financial assistance given in lieu of additional 5 kg rice under the Anna Bhagya Scheme started with the objective of mitigating the hunger of the poor in the state will be replaced with 5 Kg additional rice. This will provide additional rice to 4.21 crore beneficiaries

-- Use of technology will be maximised to improve the public distribution system further. Under this, CCTVs will be installed in wholesale warehouses, GPS-based vehicle tracking system will be set up and Command Control Centres will be established at a total cost of Rs. 5 crore.

-- 'Anna Suvidha' scheme was implemented last year for home delivery of food grains to households with only senior citizens above 80 years. 2 lakh beneficiaries have been identified under this scheme. This service will be extended to include households with only senior citizens above 75 years of age in the present year. 3.30 lakh beneficiaries will benefit from this initiative.

-- For efficient monitoring of Public Distribution System (PDS), the electronic weighing machine and point of sale devices in Fair Price Shops will be integrated with the IT system of PDS.

-- Wholesale margin under Anna Bhagya scheme will be increased from Rs 35 to Rs 45 per quintal.

Housing Schemes

-- Karnataka Housing Board will develop a total of 16,140 plots in Suryanagar Phase-IV Scheme in Anekal taluk of Bengaluru Urban district in 2025-26. These plots will be distributed to the landowners on 50:50 basis and the remaining will be distributed to the public at affordable rates.

-- The contribution of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has been reduced to Rs.1 lakh and the state government is contributing Rs.5 lakh on behalf of the beneficiaries. The target of 1,80,253 houses has been approved to be constructed by Karnataka Slum Development Board. Out of this 86,651 houses have been completed and the remaining will be completed expeditiously.

-- A programme will be formulated to construct housing units in partnership with private players on government lands and distributed to economically weaker sections.

-- Karnataka Housing Board will develop a total of 16,140 plots in Suryanagar Phase-IV Scheme in Anekal taluk of Bengaluru Urban district in 2025-26. These plots will be distributed to the landowners on 50:50 basis and the remaining will be distributed to the public at affordable rates.

-- Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation is implementing ‘The Chief Minister’s 1 Lakh Multi-storey Housing Scheme’ to provide housing to houseless. With a view to provide financial assistance to the 12,153 beneficiaries who have already paid the deposit amount, Rs.1 lakh deposit amount will be reduced from their final cost and paid by the state government totalling Rs121 crore.

Labour Welfare Schemes

-- To encourage the education amongst the children of construction workers, Residential Schools from 6th to 12th standard will be constructed by Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board in 31 Districts of the State. These Residential Schools will be managed by Backward Classes Department. Total cost for this purpose is Rs.750 crore.

-- The various benefits like educational, medical and other allowances given to Karnataka Labour Welfare Board registered labourers and their dependents will be extended thereby doubling the financial assistance being provided by government.

-- In case of natural death of the registered construction workers, ex-gratia that is now being provided will be increased to Rs.1.5 lakhs from the present Rs.75,000. In the event of death at workplace, the compensation given to dependents will be increased to Rs.8 lakhs from the present Rs.5 lakhs.

-- The registered beneficiaries of the Board who have exhausted Rs.5 lakhs ceiling under Ayushman Bharath Arogya Karnataka scheme, will get additional reimbursement of Rs.5 lakhs in case of Cancer and Heart related diseases and Rs.2 lakhs in cases of other diseases from the Board.

-- Employees State Insurance Hospitals will be provided with necessary basic facilities at a cost of Rs. 51 crore to provide better health services to labourers. Under this programme, hospital hygiene, purchase of equipment, renovation of emergency units, upgradation of laboratories etc. will be taken up.

Skill Development Schemes

--About 2.58 lakh youths have registered with Yuvanidhi Scheme.

--Unemployment allowance of Rs 286 crore has been transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

--Apart from the unemployment allowance, govt said future skill training is being imparted to the youths under Industry Linkage Cell (ILC).

-- India Skills-2026 competition will be hosted in Bengaluru to help prepare for the World Skills Competition.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj related announcements

Under Pragati Patha Scheme, govt will allocate Rs.5,200 crore to roads in rural regions.

Also, the government will provide Rs 6,050 crore for Jal Jivan Misson in the year 2025-26.

286 works under the Kalyana Patha Scheme announced for 38 assembly constituencies of Kalyana Karnataka region at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

CM also announced that the government will launch E-Swathu campaign to distribute property certificates for the properties having all the required documents.

New announcements with regard to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme:

-- Government will set up grey water management unit in 500 villages for the management of waste water.

-- Government will start 'Hasiru Pathas’ campaign to plant saplings alongside 5,000 km of state and district roads passing through rural areas.

-- CM also revealed that ‘Krishi Patha’ scheme will be implemented to develop roads connecting farmers’ fields in a phased manner.

-- Krishi Kavacha Scheme has been initiated to boost groundwater recharge and to enhance soil conservation. Under this, construction of bunds will be carried out across 50,000 hectares of farmland.

-- For sustainable and scientific management of rural water supply infrastructure, a Geographic Information System (GIS) based mobile and web application will be developed.

-- To strengthen the sustainable revenue sources for gram panchayats, properties of the gram panchayats will be leveraged for income generation on PPP mode.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Bengaluru infrastructure projects

CM Siddaramaiah has announced a special grant of Rs 7,000 crore in the State Budget.

-- A 40.5 km double decker flyover will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8,916 crore along with Namma Metro Phase – 3 Project

-- A network of 300 kms additional roads will be constructed at a cost of Rs.3,000 crore utilising canal buffer zones.

-- The arterial and sub-arterial road network in BBMP area measuring 460 km will be developed at a cost of Rs.660 crore.

-- Flyovers and Grade Separators of length 120 km will be built in the Bengaluru city.

-- Rs 27,000 crore plan has been prepared to build a 73 km road with the assistance from HUDCO Bank by renaming the long-pending Peripheral Ring Road project as ‘Bengaluru Business Corridor’. Land acquisition process has been started by forming separate teams.

-- Government to go ahead with tunnel road projects in Bengaluru. For this project, the government will stand guarantee to BBMP for an amount of Rs. 19,000 crore for undertaking the North-South and the East-West corridors (tunnels) at a cost of Rs. 40,000 crore.

-- The government will provide BBMP and BWSSB with financial assistance of Rs 3,000 crore for construction of a systematic drainage network and STPs to control climate change induced flooding in Bengaluru.

-- Kaveri Stage-V project with an additional water capacity of 775 MLD and constructed at a cost of Rs. 5,550 crore was dedicated to public in the year 2024-25. This has provided a water lifeline to 50 lakh residents in 110 villages.

-- Also, a new detailed project report will be prepared for the implementation of Kaveri Stage-6.

-- A state-of-the-art Bengaluru Signature Park will be developed in Devanahalli in a 407-acre area. An amount of Rs 50 crore has been already released to provide connectivity to this area for building a flyover under the state government funds.

Namma Metro:

Namma Metro is operating 68 stations along 79.65 km of rail network. It is providing mobility service to around 8.5 lakh commuters in the Bengaluru city.

BMRCL plans to add 98.60 km additional routes to the network in the next two years. It is envisaged to extend the Metro network up to Devanahalli.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Annoucements related to Public Works Department

-- Under the various ongoing projects of Public Works Department, works related to 1,330 km length of state highways and 1,250 km length of main district roads have been completed in the year 2024-25.

--In the present year, it is intended to undertake works of 1,850 km length of state highways and 2,570 km of district roads with a cost of Rs. 4,848 crore.

-- Bridge construction works numbering 140 has been completed. In the current year, 6 bridge construction works have been approved.

-- A total of 39 bridges in dilapidated condition have been identified across the state. For repairs and reconstruction of these bridges, a plan worth Rs.1,000 crore will be formulated.

-- The roads and bridges damaged due to heavy rainfall in Virajapete-Ponnampet and Madikeri talukas of Kodagu district will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs.20 crore.

-- 20 km stretch along the proposed Raichur-Sindhanur road has been completed. The remaining works under this Rs.1,696 crore Project will be completed in the current year.

-- 30 km stretch of the total 123 km road works along the Rs.3,190 crore Devanahalli – Vijaypura–H-Cross-Vemagala- Malur-Tamil Nadu Border road which connects the industrial corridor will be completed in the current year.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | CM allocates more than Rs 10,000 crore for Gruha Jyothi scheme

"During year 2024-25, Rs. 9,657 crore was provided for this scheme. In the current year Rs.10,100 crore will be provided towards this scheme," CM Siddaramaiah said.

For farmers, an allocation of Rs. 16,021 crore has been made in respect of 33.84 lakh pump sets under financial assistance scheme of State Government of power supply for irrigation pumpsets up to 10 hp capacity.

This scheme entails a financial assistance of around Rs 50,000 per pump set per year.

Also, government will begin electrification of 25,971 borewells under Ganga Kalyana scheme.

Further, for the electrification of 6,887 drinking water schemes, installation of 1.94 lakh transformers, 51,975 HT lines and 45,047 LT lines has been undertaken in the distribution sector.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt's 2025-30 industrial policy to attract Rs 7.5 lakh crore worth investment

By the end of December 2024, Karnataka attracted foreign investment of $4.4 billion. It was ranked 3rd in the country and achieved first rank with exports worth $88.85 billion.

In comparison to the previous year, the State has achieved a growth of 11.17% in overall exports.

Government's new Industrial Policy 2025-30 announced by the State Government in order to create a conducive environment for industries in the State, aims to attract Rs 7.5 lakh crore worth investment creation of 20 lakh new jobs.

In the recently concluded, Global Investors Meet-Invest Karnataka-2025, MoUs have been signed with various organisations for an investment of Rs 10.27 lakh crore.

This is expected to create more than 6 lakhs job opportunities in the State

CM Siddaramaiah noted that Foxconn, Apple supplier has started a mobile phone manufacture plant in Devanahalli Industrial Area with a capital investment of Rs 21,911 crore. This company will be provided with an incentive of Rs 6,970 crore by ESDM.

As part of Beyond Bengaluru plan, industries will be encouraged to set up plants in North Karnataka region.

It is envisaged to establish a flatted factories with Plug & Play facility in Thidagundi, Vijaypura District, new industrial area.

Further, multi-Sector Net-Zero Sustainability Industrial Park in PPP mode will be established in Shivarapattana industrial area of Kolar District in an effort to control pollution.

A Japanese Industrial park will be set up at the Tumkur Industrial Node under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor project. It is intended to utilise the World Expo Platform scheduled to be held in Osaka, Japan to attract more investments to the State.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt announces Local Economy Accelerator Program to encourage entrepreneurship in tier-2 cities

"To stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in cities other than Bengaluru, a Local Economy Accelerator Program -LEAP will be launched in the current year with a grant of Rs. 1,000 crore, said CM Siddaramaiah

-- An allocation of Rs 200 crore has been made during the present financial year. This initiative will aim at creating 5 lakh employment opportunities across the state. The following initiatives will be taken up under this program.

-- Startup ecosystem will be developed in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Kalburgi.

-- A lifecycle approach will be followed to set up incubators, accelerators, centre of excellence and Global Technology Centres (GTCs).

--Rs 300 Crore for Fund-of-Funds and a corpus fund of Rs.100 crore for Deep-tech development will be earmarked.

-- To make Karnataka a leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a Centre for Applied AI for Tech Solutions (CATS) will be established with an investment of Rs 50 crore over the next five years.

-- To promote the development of quantum technology a Quantum Research Park Phase-2 will be set up with a grant of Rs 48 crore over the next three years in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

Karnataka Biotechnology Policy

With Karnataka Biotechnology Policy 2024-2029, government aims to attract investment of Rs.1,500 crore in the MSMEs and large scale industries. This will be implemented through an incentive of Rs.220 crore.

-- The government will provide assistance of Rs.57 crore for the reconstruction of the Bengaluru Bio-Innovation Center, which was severely damaged in a fire disaster. In the FY 2025-26, Rs. 20 crore has been provided.

-- In order to further strengthen Karnataka’s leadership in the Global Capability Centres, Global Innovation Districts will be developed by KEONICS in Mysuru, Belagavi, Dharwad and Bengaluru.

-- New sub-regional science centres will be established in Kolar, Ramanagara, Chitradurga and Vijayanagara districts. Rs 9 crore has been provided in the current year.

-- A state-of-the-art PCB Park will be developed in Mysuru on 150 acres of land, creating a dedicated ecosystem for electronics manufacturing.

-- The SensorTech Innovation Hub will be set up at a total cost of Rs. 99 crore in collaboration with the Government of India and in partnership with industry to encourage research and development, skills and ecosystem development for sensors in Karnataka.

-- KEONICS will establish three new Global Technology Centres as plug-and-play facilities in Mangaluru, Hubli and Belagavi.

-- An Agri-Tech Accelerator will be established in Kalaburagi for technology integration in the agriculture sector.

-- A flat factory with plug & play facility will be set up in Kalaburagi.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Government to allocate Rs 8,000 crore for improvement of tourism

The new Tourism Policy 2024-29 is envisioned to tourism a priority sector through holistic and sustainable development.

"An investment of Rs 8,000 crore and job creation of 1.5 lakh is aimed to be achieved through this Policy," CM Siddaramiah said.

Key announcements include:

-- Sri Renuka Yallamma Temple, one of the major religious centres of the State, and Devika Rani Roerich Estate will be developed under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, with a total expenditure of Rs. 199 crore.

-- Tourist destinations in 10 select districts of the state will be developed at a cost of Rs 50 crore in the year 2025-26.

-- Promotion of educational, health, adventure, environmental, water sports and coastal tourism in the state will be done through coastal development and upgradation of wayside amenities(Highway Hubs) in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

-- Basic infrastructure at UNESCO World Heritage places of Beluru, Halebidu and Somanathpura will be developed with upgraded facilities.

-- Pravasi Mitras working at tourist spots will be trained for the safety of tourists and their numbers will be increased to 1,000.

-- 24X7 helpline will also be made operational for providing information to tourists.

-- For development of essential infrastructure for conservation of important monuments of the state, 25 monuments are given for adoption. Further it is intended to give more monuments for adoption under Namma Smaraka Digital Forum.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt to offer Rs 10 lakh incentive to talented to sports men and women

"Under ‘Target-Olympic Medal’ scheme in which 60 of the most talented sportspersons of the state will be identified and given an incentive of Rs10 lakh per annum for three years to prepare for the Olympics 2028. An amount of Rs.6 crore is provided this year, " said CM Siddaramaiah.

Other key announcements include:

-- District Stadium will be constructed in 20 acres of land in Adinarayana Hosahalli, Bengaluru Rural district and a modern cycling velodrome will be constructed with the cost of Rs.5 crore to encourage the sport of cycling. A total of Rs 6 crore will be provided for the development of district stadiums in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts at the cost of Rs 3 crore each.

-- Taluk stadiums will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore each in 12 taluk headquarters where land is available. A total of Rs12 crore will be provided during the current year.

-- The Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna stadium in Yalaburga taluka and the stadium in T. Narsipura taluka will be developed at a total cost of Rs 6 crore.

-- Shooting Ranges will be constructed in district stadiums of 4 division headquarters of the state in the next three years at a total cost of Rs. 3 crore.

-- Rural sports like Kambala, bullock cart race and Mallakhambha will be encouraged. Sports meets will be organized for the most backward forest-dwelling tribes every year.

-- A total of Rs 2 crore will be provided as separate grant for this purpose.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt to bring new land revenue act

"As the Karnataka Land Revenue Act currently in force has become very old, a new land revenue act will be enacted after a comprehensive study to provide more clarity for effective implementation at field level," said CM Siddaramaiah.

Other related announcements include:

-- E-Jamabandi software will be developed and implemented from this year to speeden up the Jamabandi process of reconciling and streamlining the village and taluk level land records.

-- Government to start E-Pauti mission from this year to register the names of legal heirs in land records which have been identified as 'dead' during Aadhaar seeding with pahani.

-- A new DC office building will be constructed in Belagavi city with a total cost of Rs 55 crore.

-- For the benefit of farmers and public, it is proposed to construct 100 new Nadakacheris with adequate facilities.

-- Kaveri 2.0 software will be maintained by the Stamps and Registration Department itself in the interest of public and to ease the registration process.

-- 36 Sub-Registrar offices in Bengaluru where 75 per cent of the total registrations in the state take place will be modernized at a cost of Rs 76 crore in order to provide basic facilities and excellent services.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Cinema sector to get industry status

"Cinema Sector will be given the status of an industry and the facilities provided under the Industrial Policy will be extended to the cinema industry by our Government,'' said CM Siddaramaiah.

Other key announcements include:

-- The cost of the ticket of each show in all theatres of the state including multiplexes will be capped at Rs.200

-- A multiplex movie theater complex will be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in 2.5 acre land owned by the Karnataka Film Academy in Nandini Layout, Bengaluru.

-- With the aim of preservation of Kannada movies depicting social, historical and cultural values, a repository of Kannada movies will be created in digital and non-digital formats at a cost of Rs.3 crore.

-- An OTT platform will be created in the state to promote Kannada movies.

-- For developing an International level Film City in Mysuru at the cost of Rs. 500 crore in PPP model, 150 acre land has been transferred to Department of Information and Public relations. The Film City is expected to be completed next year.

-- Monthly pension for journalists facing hardship will be increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 and family pension from Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,500.

-- Under ‘CM Maadhyama Sanjeevini’ scheme, govt will provide cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to a total of 2,500 accredited journalists and their dependents in the state.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt to set up two Indian Reserve Battalion in Chikkaballapura and KGF

"Law and order plays an important role in the economic development of the state. The following measures have been taken in this regard, zero tolerance policy has been adopted against those who disrupt social harmony and strict and decisive action is being taken," CM Siddaramaiah said.

Key announcements with regard to home department:

--Seven police station buildings will be completed and dedicated to the public. Further, works for construction of 12 police stations, 1 sub-division office, 2 circle offices and 1 police out post building at a cost of Rs. 30 crore have been taken up and action will be taken to complete them expeditiously in Bengaluru.

-- With an aim to increase the mobility, Rs 50 crore will be allocated under the Police Mobility Scheme for the procurement of 1,000 new vehicles, benefiting all departments under the Home Department

-- To take stringent action against the growing cyber-crimes and narcotic drugs consumption and peddling in the state, Cyber Crime Division will be strengthened with a grant of Rs 5 crore.

-- Two Indian Reserve Battalions will be established at Kudugurki near Nandi Hills and in KGF. A grant of Rs.80 crore has been provided for this purpose.

-- For effective policing of Bengaluru city the number of police divisions will be increased from 8 to 11.

--There are 5 bomb detection and disposal Squads working at present. Four more bomb detection and disposal squads will be set up at Bellary, Davanagere, Mysuru and Bengaluru Central Zones during this year.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Govt to allocate Rs 5,300 crore for Shakti scheme

" Under Shakthi, the very first scheme launched for women empowerment and capacity-building, a total of 226.53 crore women passengers have availed the benefits of this scheme. Rs. 5,015 crore expenditure has been incurred during 2024-25 for this scheme which has instilled strength for self-reliance and financial improvement of women. Rs. 5,300 crore has been earmarked for the year 2025-26," said CM Siddaramaiah.

Other related announcements include:

-- The Bengaluru Majestic bus stand aka Kempegowda Bus Stand will be redeveloped under Project Majestic scheme under the public-private partnership model. It is envisaged to construct a transport hub consisting of a commercial complex.

-- During 2025-26, priority is being given for the induction of e-buses in the interest of a clean environment and it is aimed to induct 14,750 new electric vehicles under PM e-DRIVE, PM-eBus Sewa and Externally Aided Projects, out of which 9,000 buses will be provided to BMTC.

-- 1,000 new diesel buses will be inducted across different transport corporations of the State under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model.

-- In order to strengthen the transport corporations financially, Government has stood guarantee to four transport corporations to avail loans worth Rs 2,000 crore from the financial institutions.

-- To facilitate smooth traffic for the public and to enhance basic infrastructure amongst the transport corporations, a new satellite bus stand will be constructed at K R Puram in Bengaluru East zone on public private partnership model.

-- A state-of-the-art bus stand will be built at Banni Mantapa, Mysuru at the total cost of Rs.120 crore.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Tax proposals

"Karnataka is the 2nd highest GST revenue collecting State in the country in 2024-25. A total revenue of Rs. 1,05,000 crore is estimated from Commercial tax in revised estimates for 2024-25," said CM Siddaramaiah.

The government is proposing amendment to the Professional Tax Act, to increase the Professional Tax payable by salary and wages earners from Rs.200 to Rs 300 for the month of February to align with the maximum limit permissible of Rs 2500 per annum.

For the financial year 2025-26, revenue target of Rs.1,20,000 crore is set for Commercial Tax Department.

Key announcements related Excise department

-- Karnataka government will continue rationalising excise slabs in the current year.

-Government has set the revenue collection for 2025-26 at Rs 40,000 crore.

-- A total revenue of Rs 36,500 crore is estimated from State Excise in revised estimates for 2024-25, he said.

Stamps and Registration

-- The revenue target is estimated to be Rs.24,000 crore as per the revised estimates for 2024-25.

-- The revenue target for Stamps and Registration Department for the year 2025-26 is Rs.28,000 crore.

Transport

-- A total revenue of Rs. 12,500 crore is estimated from Motor vehicle tax in revised estimates for 2024-25.

-- The revenue collection target for Transport Department for the year 2025-26 is Rs.15,000 crore.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Karnataka Budget Estimates 2025-26

 Karnataka Budget Estimates 2025-26

"Total Revenue Receipts of Rs. 2,92,477 crores is estimated for 2025-26. It includes own tax revenue of Rs. 2,08,100 crore, non-tax revenue of Rs. 16,500 crore and Govt. of India receipts of Rs. 67,877 crore. In addition to these revenue receipts, gross borrowings of Rs. 1,16,000 crore, non-debt capital receipts of Rs. 170 crore is estimated for 2025-26. Total receipts estimated in budget for 2025-26 is Rs. 4,08,647 crore," said CM Siddaramaiah.

--Total Expenditure for 2025-26 is estimated to be Rs. 4,09,549 crore. It includes revenue expenditure of Rs. 3,11,739 crore, capital expenditure of Rs. 71,336 crore and loan repayment of Rs. 26,474 crore.

-- For the financial year 2025-26, revenue deficit is estimated to be Rs. 19,262 crore, which is 0.63 per cent of GSDP. Fiscal Deficit is estimated to be Rs. 90,428 crore, which is 2.95 per cent of GSDP. Total liabilities at the end of 2025-26 is estimated to be

-- Rs. 7,64,655 crore, which is 24.91 per cent of GSDP. By keeping fiscal deficit and total outstanding liabilities within the limits mandated under Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, we have maintained fiscal discipline in the financial year 2025-26.

Revised Budget Estimates of 2024-25

-- A total receipt of Rs. 3,58,657 crore has been estimated in 2024-25 revised estimates. Revenue Receipts is estimated at Rs. 2,57,801 crore.

--The revenue receipts include State own tax revenue of Rs. 1,80,368 crore, non-tax revenue of Rs. 14,500 crore and receipts from Govt. of India of Rs. 62,933 crores from the centre.

-- In 2024-25 revised estimates, total expenditure is estimated to be Rs. 3,65,865 crore. It includes revenue expenditure of Rs. 2,83,928 crore and Rs. 81,937 crore for capital expenditure including loan repayment.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | 'Fiscal discipline outlined in budget will ensure stability and strengthen financial position of the state, says CM Siddaramaiah

" I am presenting a budget, focusing on sustainable economic growth while ensuring fiscal consolidation. By prioritizing key sectors such as infrastructure, irrigation and social welfare, we are laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. At the same time, the fiscal discipline we have outlined will ensure stability and strengthen financial position of the State. As we move forward, this budget will not only foster growth but also secure a strong fiscal health of the State. I ask for the support of every member of this House in order to carry out the plans outlined in this budget into action. I am confident that with all your support, we can collectively lead the State towards progress," CM Siddaramaiah concludes the Budget 2025-26 speech.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | Siddaramaiah defends guarantee schemes, targets Centre for state's fiscal challenges

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, presenting his record sixteenth budget on Friday, strongly defended the government's five guarantee schemes and targeted the union government for the state's fiscal challenges.

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Karnataka Budget LIVE | Siddaramaiah's budget has betrayed the people, announced attractive programmes but no promises made, says B Y Vijayendra

"The budget presented by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who holds the finance portfolio, has betrayed the expectations of the people of the state. He is trying to curry favor with the people by announcing attractive programs without announcing specific promises and funding for them.

The budget has emphasized on wooing the Muslim community in the name of minorities. It has not made any contribution towards the comprehensive development of the education sector. There is no encouragement for industries that have the potential to create jobs," Vijayendra said.

"The expectations of farmers have been completely dashed, especially in terms of giving priority to the agriculture sector. In the wake of the situation of rural exodus day by day, no program has been announced to stop it. Therefore, this is an anti-rural and anti-farmer budget."

"The budget has not provided any funds for the expansion and renovation of government school buildings, and only announced the opening of 5,000 pre-primary classes, without paying any attention to quality education and infrastructure. The budget has not announced specific plans to significantly expand the cultural sector and tourism, and has given empty promises to encourage the growth of these sectors," Vijayendra added.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | This budget is development-deficient, lacks vision, says Opposition Leader

"The state budget presented today by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is extremely disappointing, development-deficient, lacking vision, and merely a superficial budget," said Opposition Leader R Ashoka.

"Since the general public already perceives Siddaramaiah as an outgoing CM, there were no major expectations from this budget. However, people still hoped that in his final budget, he would announce at least a few people-friendly schemes. Unfortunately, this budget has left everyone completely disappointed. It is nothing but a “Bogaleraamayya Budget” (empty boasting budget)," added BJP leader.

"Unable to face elections through achievements, bold leadership, or even his AHINDA (minority, backward class, and Dalit) vote bank strategy, the Congress party hastily announced the five guarantee schemes just to mislead people, secure votes, and come to power.

However, after coming to power, these “hot ghee-like” guarantees have put the Congress government in a tight spot—neither can they continue them nor can they withdraw them.," noted R Ashoka.

"According to KDP (Karnataka Development Programme) data, in the last 10 months of the 2024-25 budget year, only 62% of the funds have been utilized. When the previous year’s budget itself hasn’t been fully spent, what is the point of presenting another budget? It’s like forcing a 5th-grade student to take a 6th-grade exam without passing the previous one! That is the story and struggle of Siddaramaiah’s budget.

This is merely a symbolic budget—a paper government’s paper budget—the farewell budget of a retiring Chief Minister. This budget brings no benefit to Karnataka or its people—not even a single paisa," said Opposition Leader.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | This budget prioritises minority appeasement: HD Kumaraswamy

In a sarcastic tone, HD Kumaraswamy, former Karnataka CM and current Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel said the budget presented by Siddaramaiah neglects majority of the people and appeases the minority community.

"* Appeasement of a few!

* Neglect of the majority!!

This is the essence of the 2025-26 budget of the @INCKarnataka government!" said HDK on X platform.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | This budget has been prepared with a vision of all-round development of state, says DK Shivakumar

"Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri @Siddaramaiah presented the Karnataka Budget 2025-26. I joined him on this important occasion. This budget has been prepared with a vision of all-round development of Karnataka, with which the state will move forward on the path of prosperity and self-reliance," said Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar.

Karnataka Budget LIVE | JD(S) pans CM Siddaramaih over changing Bangalore University name to Dr Manmohan Singh university

"Siddaramaiah, the traitor to Kannada. Why was there a need to rename Bangalore City University as Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh University, Siddaramaiah? What is the relationship between Bangalore City University and Manmohan Singh? This is "Congress slavery"! Although there are thousands of great Kannadigas born in Karnataka, who did not catch the eye of the Congress government? Is it the Kannada traitor Siddaramaiah?," JD(S) panned Karnataka CM on X platform

"With total debt of 7.65 lakh crores, is evidence of economic bankruptcy," says former CM Basavaraj Bommai

Here's what former CM Basavarak Bommai said:

"An anti-people budget that imposes financial burden on the people. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's budget for 2025-26 does not include any measures to take the state towards economic reform and economic empowerment.

This is another anti-people, disappointing budget that has imposed a financial burden on the people. There is a big difference between what was said in the budget last year and what was done.

Last year, the total income was 3,68,674 crores in the budget, but now it is 3,58,657 crores, ten thousand crores less than the state's income. Secondly, last year, the total expenditure in the budget was 3,71,383 crores, but the budget has been reduced to 3,65,865 crores, even in which capital expenditure has fallen.

That means there has been a slowdown in the growth rate in 2024-25. The fiscal deficit in this year's budget is shown as 2.95%, which is actually more than 3% of our GSDP. This is just an adjustment of the figures.

And the total debt of 7,64,655 crores, which is about 25% of our GSDP, is evidence of economic bankruptcy. In the budget, 2% less grant has been given to education and 1% less to the women and children department.

The fact that no special grant has been given to irrigation, rural development, agriculture is disappointing for the farming community. This is an anti-farmer budget.

No bold steps have been announced in this budget to eliminate regional imbalance. The Rs 5,000 crore given to KKRDB. is like rubbing ghee on the nose. Because the money allocated last year has not been spent.

The fact that no special financial assistance has been announced for the development of Kittur Karnataka is disappointing for the people of that region."