In revenue deficit Budget, K'taka CM allocates ₹1.20 lakh crore for welfare programmes — Key points

Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah on Friday, February 16, presented his 15th state budget. Siddarmaiah said, “Though I have presented a revenue deficit budget, I have increased the allocation for welfare programmes to ₹1,20,373 crore.”

He defended his government’s guarantee schemes asserting that they are not “election gimmicks”. He said his government is marching ahead towards setting a new example of the Karnataka Model of Development founded on the principles of justice, equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution.

“Our State Government has undertaken the work left undone by the Central Government which has abdicated its responsibility. Our guarantee schemes are not just election gimmicks. They are the result of the feedback obtained during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’,” he said.

Here are the key highlights from the Budget:

• Processed and value-added millets will be made available at affordable prices under new programme ‘Namma Millet’: CM
• During 6 years of 15th Finance Commission, loss to the state under devolution of Central taxes is estimated to be ₹62,098 crore: CM
• Loss of ₹59,274 crore was incurred by the state due to unscientific implementation of GST in the last seven years: CM
• An average of ₹50,000 to ₹55,000 is transferred to each family every year through ‘guarantee’ schemes: CM
• Through five ‘guarantees’, Karnataka government is putting ₹52,000 crore in the hands of crores of people during 2024-25: CM
• All services rendered by Excise department will be digitised: CM
• Tax slabs for Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer will be revised: CM
• Tourism policy will be revised for 2024-29 to attract more tourists and investors to make full use of the tourism potential of the State. Anjanadri Hills and surrounding areas of Koppal district hold mythological and historical importance, ₹100 crore will be provided to develop tourism in these areas: CM
• 50 women-run cafes with the name of Cafe Sanjeevini will be launched across the state during this year for ₹7.50 crore. These canteens will cater to the demand and supply gap in rural areas for healthy, hygienic and affordable cooked food and traditional local cuisine: CM

The government has given impetus to creating an ecosystem that promotes inclusive development and accelerated economic development in the coming future, Siddaramaiah said. “We will mobilise adequate resources for economic infrastructure such as expressways, excellent rural roads, world class airports and Urban Public Transport facilities. We will make even greater investment in the energy sector to take Karnataka numero uno in the country once again in energy production. Bengaluru will be transformed into a truly global city with world-class infrastructure,” he said.