Karnataka Budget

The opposition BJP and JD(S) held an all-night dharna in both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature demanding a discussion on the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which involves plots given to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife. The BJP and JD(S) legislators spent the night in the Assembly and Council. As part of the protest, they held demonstrations holding placards, and raised slogans -- in the form of "bhajans" -- against the Congress government, Siddaramaiah and Speaker U T Khader for not allowing a discussion. The legislators including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, and BJP state President and MLA B Y Vijayendra later slept in the Assembly premises. Similar scenes were seen at the Legislative Council too. The opposition parties said they would continue their protest on the issue in both the Houses on Thursday too. Claiming that the needle of suspicion in the MUDA "scam" is pointing towards the .

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed on Wednesday several leaders from opposition parties will be joining the ruling Congress in the coming days, and that he does not want to divulge the "secret" now. He also did not rule out the possibility of "rebel" BJP MLAs S T Somashekar and Arabail Shivaram Hebbar joining Congress. "Why take just two-three names?" Shivakumar asked reporters here, in response to a question on whether Somashekar and Hebbar are joining the Congress. He subsequently nodded his head in agreement, when asked whether more people will be joining the party. Questioned as to how many will be joining Congress from other parties, the state Congress chief said: "why talk about it now? I have told our party workers to induct all those willing and who have regards for the party, locally." Asked if MLAs from other parties will be joining Congress, he said, "How can I divulge the secrets?" Hebbar, MLA from Yellapur, did not turn up for the voting despite a

Karnataka budget 2024: The announcement was made during the 15th budget presentation by Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio of the state

Asserting his government's commitment to implement various irrigation and drinking water projects related to inter-state rivers including Mekedatu over Cauvery, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday in the state Assembly detailed clearances and approvals pending with the Central government. Presenting the 2024-25 budget in the Assembly, he listed out steps to implement various projects such as Mekedatu, Kalasa-Banduri, Upper Krishna, Upper Bhadra and Yettihanole, among others. A separate project division and two sub-divisions have already been set up to implement the ambitious Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and drinking water project of Cauvery river valley, Siddaramaiah said, adding that a survey to identify land that will be submerged under this project and the counting process of trees have already been initiated. He also said action will be taken on priority to commence work early after obtaining remaining necessary clearances from the competent authorities. The Chief .

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday strongly defended his government's guarantee schemes, asserting that they are not "election gimmicks", while strongly criticising the Centre for its "anti-people" decisions. Presenting the state budget for 2024-25 in the Legislative Assembly, he said the tax slabs for Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer are proposed to be revised, in order to rationalise them and make them competitive with neighbouring states. This was Siddaramaiah's record 15th budget as Finance Minister of Karnataka, and the second under the present Congress regime. He said his government is marching ahead towards setting a new example of Karnataka Model of Development founded on the principles of justice, equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution. Claiming that the UPA Government during its tenure at the Centre, had taken up people-centric schemes and legislations to provide food security, healthcare, education, employment, Siddaramaiah said, "however, th

Led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, top Congress leaders from Karnataka on Wednesday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here against the Centre over "injustice" meted out to the state in devolution of taxes. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, several MPs, ministers and MLAs from the state took part in the protest. The Congress alleges that "injustice" has been meted out to Karnataka in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years. The protesters demanded that the Centre set right the losses to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore allegedly incurred by Karnataka under the 15th Finance Commission. Siddaramaiah said this protest is not against the BJP but the discrimination against Karnataka. Dismissing the BJP's allegation that the protest was aimed at raking up the North-South divide, the chief minister said the Congress wants the country to be united but there should be no discrimination against the southern states. The chief minister said the formula used to devolve taxe

Stepping up the attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, the ruling Congress in Karnataka led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will stage a protest in New Delhi on Wednesday, alleging "injustice" to the State in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years. The protest by all Congress legislators and MPs from the state, including Ministers that comes ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls will begin at 11 am tomorrow at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The protesters would demand Centre set right the losses allegedly incurred by the Karnataka to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore, during five years under the 15th finance commission. Incidentally, CPI (M) veteran and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his Cabinet colleagues will stage a protest in the national capital against the Centre's alleged negligence towards the southern state. Elsewhere, in Kolkata TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a protest on Friday agains

Karnataka government has signed eight MoUs worth Rs 23,000 crore with global companies at the recently concluded World Economic Forum meet at Davos in Switzerland, Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Wednesday. A Karnataka delegation, which he led, engaged in over 50 meetings with global industry leaders in Davos. "Karnataka successfully signed eight MoUs worth Rs 23,000 crore with global companies. Noteworthy agreements include Web Werks' Rs 20,000 crore investment for a hyper-scale data centre and Microsoft's commitment to digital skilling interventions," Patil told reporters here. The Minister said Hitachi signed an MoU to "stimulate" economic growth in Karnataka, particularly focusing on rural areas. The partnership with emphasis on developing sectors such as healthcare, education, and Panchayat E-Governance aims to create more opportunities and employment for the people of the state, Patil said. Further, MoUs have been signed by five companies across sector

The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has also demanded that the government order a fresh caste census

The new regime raised the projection of nominal GSDP growth to 17.7 per cent against seven per cent by the previous BJP government for the current financial year

Reacting to the increase in electricity tariff, the CM said that a decision was taken about the increase by KERC and the same was being implemented

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said a state-of-the-art startup park would be established at a cost of Rs 30 crore near Kempegowda International Airport here. Presenting his government's last budget in the Legislative Assembly, he also said new industrial clusters will be established in nine places by Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC). Bommai said a feasibility report has already been prepared for the construction of airports in Davangere and Koppal districts, and steps will be taken to commence the construction work this year. Stating that people are showing more interest in air travel mode with a view to saving time and for hassle-free travel, the Chief Minister said in this background, the government has undertaken a record number of five new airports work in Shivamogga, Vijayapura, Hassan, Raichur and Karwar districts. Shivamogga and Vijayapura airport work will be completed this year itself, he said. Noting that administrat

Aimed at wooing women voters ahead of Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday announced certain measures targeted at them including a scheme under which Rs 500 will be provided every month to landless women farm labourers. He also announced free bus passes for women working in the organised sector and also school and college going girl students. Presenting his government's last budget ahead of polls due by April-May, Bommai said, a new scheme called "Shrama Shakthi" is being launched under which a financial assistance of Rs 500 per head per month will be provided by the government to the landless women farm labourers through direct benefit transfer (DBT). He said to enable women to start profitable home-based factories, free skill development training will be provided to one lakh women in the current year. Noting that on the lines of 'Mathrupoorna' programme, eligible married women will be provided with mid-day meal and prophylactic IFA (iron folic ac

The Karnataka government proposed to set up a cloud-based state data centre with an outlay of Rs 590 crore for various departments and public sector undertakings. Information technology (IT) is being used extensively in the administration of the state, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday, adding the security of the administrative system is of extreme priority. "In this background, 24X7 Cyber Security Operation Centre (CSOC) with cyber experts incorporating modern technology will be established to ensure safety of government websites, online services and for data security," Bommai, who holds the finance portfolio, said presenting the 2023-24 budget in the state Legislative Assembly. The government proposed to simplify the Professions Tax Act by amending the law. To provide relief to the lower income class, it is proposed to raise the tax exemption limit from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month for salaried or wage-earning employees, the Chief Minister added.

Seeking to woo farmers in an election year, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday announced an increase in the limit of interest-free short-term loan given to farmers from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from the coming financial year. This would ensure availability of hassle-free and need-based loan facility for making necessary preparation for farm-related activities, Bommai, who also holds the finance portfolio, said presenting the 2023-34 budget in the state Legislative Assembly. "This year, loan of Rs 25,000 crore will be distributed to more than 30 lakh farmers," he said. The government, Bommai said, has decided to give an additional subsidy of Rs 10,000 in the year 2023-24 under a new scheme 'Bhoo Siri' for 'Kisan Credit Card' holders. This would facilitate the farmers to purchase seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other farm inputs in times of exigencies, the Chief Minister said. The state would contribute Rs 2,500 and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural .

Coffee planters in Karnataka are unhappy with the Budget as the Central government has not fulfilled their demand of complete exemption from tax on sales of coffee in different forms

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said the state budget is likely to be presented on February 17, and asserted that it would be "pro-people". The upcoming budget will focus on programmes that would give more support to working classes, women and youth, he said listing out some government schemes that are being implemented in the state. Bommai, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will be presenting the budget. The upcoming budget is important for the ruling BJP as it will be the last one ahead of assembly elections by May. "During the next cabinet meeting, we will decide on the dates for joint session of Karnataka legislature and for the budget session. Budget is likely to be presented on February 17. All the preparations for it has begun," the Chief Minister said. Speaking to reporters here, he said the state's revenue collection for the quarter ending December has crossed the target, and that he has given directions regarding the targets for the last quarter

The BJP-led Karnataka government on Monday tabled the second instalment of supplementary estimates for the current fiscal aggregating to Rs 8,001.13 crore. The supplementary estimates were tabled by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy on behalf of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai who holds the Finance portfolio. The estimates are related to advance sanctioned form the contingency funds after the 2022-23 supplementary estimates- First instalment was placed before the legislature in September this year. The supplementary estimates aggregating to Rs 8,001.13 crore includes Rs 1,806.18 crore of charged expenditure and voted expenditure of Rs 6,194.95 crore. "Net outgo from consolidated fund is Rs 8,001.13 crore. A sum of Rs 1,134.72 crore is covered by Central Assistance, Rs 1,799.01 crore is met by adjustments. Hence, net cash outgo is Rs 5,067.4 crore," the government in its introductory note. The amount will be met through additional mobilisation of own revenue

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said the state budget for the next financial year will be tabled in February 2023. After the current session gets over, there will be discussion with all the departments and a few boards and corporations to make preparations for the budget in January, he added. "Budget will be tabled in February. In this regard two rounds of meetings have taken place with the finance department officials," Bommai told reporters in Shiggaon here. The proposed budget session would be the last session of the current Karnataka assembly, after which assembly polls are scheduled to take place.

The budget session would be held from March 4-30, according to the provisional schedule of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday