Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the Karnataka Budget 2025, marking his 16th budget presentation. The budget focuses on urban development, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare.
Significant Allocations for Bengaluru
Bengaluru receives a substantial allocation of ₹7,000 crore aimed at enhancing the city’s infrastructure and public services. Key initiatives include:
- Namma Metro Expansion: The metro network will extend to Devanahalli, improving connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport.
- Road and Drainage Improvements: Funds are allocated for the construction of flyovers, underpasses, and the enhancement of stormwater drainage systems to address urban flooding.
- Public Transport Enhancement: Investment in suburban rail services and an increase in BMTC bus fleets aim to alleviate traffic congestion and improve public transportation.
Agriculture and Irrigation
The budget emphasizes the importance of agriculture and irrigation with several key projects:
- Krishna Upper Canal Project: The third phase includes raising the Alamatti Dam gates to 524.256 meters, with compensation measures for affected farmers.
- Kalasa-Banduri Nala Diversion Project: Construction will commence upon receiving central government approval.
- Micro-Irrigation Expansion: Plans to implement micro-irrigation across 1.77 lakh acres to enhance water efficiency.
- Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project: Aimed at timely completion to provide drinking water to designated regions.
Sericulture Development
To boost the silk industry, the budget proposes:
- Support for Reelers: Establishment of 120-end automatic reeling units for medium-scale silk reelers.
- Hi-Tech Silk Cocoon Markets: Completion of the first phase in Ramanagara and Shidlaghatta, with ₹250 crore allocated for the second phase.
- Mysuru Silk Market: Establishment of a silk market in Mysuru in collaboration with NABARD to support silk farmers and traders.
Animal Husbandry Initiatives
The budget outlines measures to support animal husbandry:
- Anugraha Scheme: Implementation to alleviate hardships faced by farmers.
- Veterinary Services Expansion: Opening of 50 new veterinary hospitals and construction of 100 new buildings for veterinary institutions with NABARD’s assistance.
- Fodder Development: Development of fodder orchards in collaboration with the Forest Department and MGNREGA to ensure adequate feed for livestock.
Labour Welfare Measures
The budget includes several initiatives for labour welfare:
- Educational Support: Allocation of ₹750 crore for establishing residential schools for children of construction workers from grades 6 to 12 across 31 districts.
- Financial Assistance: Doubling of educational and medical assistance for registered workers.
- Death Compensation: Provision of ₹1.5 lakh for natural deaths and ₹8 lakh for deaths occurring at the workplace.
- Healthcare Coverage: Under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, after exhausting the ₹5 lakh limit, an additional ₹5 lakh is allocated for heart diseases and cancer, and ₹2 lakh for other ailments.
- ESI Infrastructure: Allocation of ₹51 crore for enhancing infrastructure in state insurance hospitals (ESI).
Minority Community Development
The budget addresses the development of minority communities:
- Funding Allocation: ₹100 crore reserved for the development of Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities.
- Christian Community Support: ₹250 crore allocated for the development of the Christian community.
- Scholarship Enhancement: Increase in the national foreign student scholarship for minority students from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
Irrigation Projects and Water Management
The budget emphasizes irrigation and water management:
- Small Irrigation Projects: ₹2,000 crore allocated for small irrigation projects across the state.
- Tank Filling Projects: Implementation of projects to fill 45 tanks in Madhugiri taluk and 62 tanks in Koratagere taluk with an allocation of ₹553 crore.
- Vrishabhavathi Valley Project: ₹1,080 crore allocated for the first phase to fill 70 tanks under the Vrishabhavathi Valley project.
The Karnataka Budget 2025 reflects a comprehensive approach, addressing urban infrastructure, agricultural development, social welfare, and minority community support to promote balanced growth across the state.
