Karnataka Budget 2024: CM Siddaramaiah finishes more than 3-hour long speech

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah finished his 15th budget presentation in a little more than three hours on Friday with “Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka”.

Further in terms of drinking water supply, CM Siddaramaiah said seven sewage treatment plants (STP) will be upgraded at a cost of ₹441 crore, and that the phase-II of drinking water supply scheme to 110 villages added to BBMP limits will be implemented at a cost of ₹200 crore.

In May, 2024, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board will operationalize Cauvery Phase-5 project of 775 MLD capacity to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people, at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,550 crore, the budget document stated.

In collaboration with the Japan Government, Area Traffic Signal Control System will be installed at 28 major junctions in the Bengaluru city by using state-of-the-art technology thereby reducing vehicle density at traffic signals by 30% and average delay by 13%, the budget statement said.

In a bid to promote public transport in the heavily congested city of Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah announced the following measures:

1. The State Government has accorded administrative approval for works under Namma Metro Phase-3 at an estimated cost of ₹15,611 crore. Approval of the Central Government is awaited.
2. As many as 1,334 new electric buses and 820 diesel buses will be added to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation's (BMTC) fleet in the coming days.

“Internationally renowned architects have been invited to prepare a novel design for constructing a 250 meters high Skydeck in Bengaluru. It will become a landmark tourist destination in the city,” The budget document stated.

The CM also announced that an additional 44 km of metro line will be added to the existing 74 km by March 2025. “Namma Metro Rail project which is the one among the best metro services in the country, is the lifeline of Bengaluru city’s transport system. Every day, more than eight lakh people use metro services,” He said.

The government will also be constructing all-weather roads in Bengaluru by utilising space available within the canal buffer zone. “Under this scheme, a 100 km road is already being developed at the cost of ₹200 crore. Additional 100 km roads will be developed during this year,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

Under the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, the government is planning to construct a 73-km road at a cost of ₹27,000 crore under the PPP model. The project will begin within the year, the budget document stated.

“Brand Bengaluru”: The Siddaramaiah-led government is focusing on reducing traffic congestion, construction of quality roads, supply of clean drinking water, and better public transport to create a clean and beautiful Bengaluru this year.

Here are the main measures being taken up:

1. White-topping of major roads of 147 km length at a cost of ₹1,700 crore to be completed before December 2025.
2. Construction of underground tunnels on a pilot basis at the infamous Hebbal junction where there is high traffic congestion.
3. It is proposed to reposition the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) as Bengaluru Business Corridor to address traffic congestion and to promote large scale economic activities.

It is proposed to implement schemes to the tune of ₹5,000 crore under Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board to emphasise on infrastructure development during the year 2024-25.

1. ₹20 crore will be provided to provide basic facilities at major pilgrimage destinations in the state.
2. Construction work of Mangaluru Haj Bhavan will be undertaken at a cost of ₹10 crore.
3. A provision of ₹50 crore will be made for the development of major pilgrimage destinations of Jains.
4. ₹200 crore will be provided for the development of Christian community.
5. Tripitakas, the sacred texts of Buddhist community, will be translated into Kannada.
6. ₹2 crore will be provided for the formulation of targeted schemes aimed at financial empowerment of Sikligar community.
7. Shri Nanak Jhira Saheb Gurudwara in Bidar will be given a development grant of ₹1 crore.

“An allocation of Rs. 100 crore will be made for development of wakf properties. There will be a special focus on protection and conservation of protected monuments which are maintained by the ASI,” The budget document stated.

1. 50 Morarji Desai Residential Schools will be started with a capacity of 50 students each.
2. 100 Post-matric boys/girls hostels will be started with a capacity of 100 students each.
3. 100 new Maulana Azad Schools will be opened.

Anekal, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Shringeri, Khanapura, Shirahatti and Yelandur are set to get 100-bedded taluk hospitals at a cost of ₹280 crore.

“Bengaluru will be transformed into a truly global city with world-class infrastructure. We will work to attract global corporate talent in the emerging areas within the IT and BT sector, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Semi-Conductors, Automobiles and other sunrise sectors. In this field, we will lead the country by example. This is our Kayaka,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

In the realm of education, CM Siddaramaiah said Class 6 will be started in all schools functioning from 1st to 5th standard, and Class 8 will be started in all schools functioning from 1st to 7th standard. The strength of students in each class will be increased from 25 to 40, he added.

“Though I have presented a revenue deficit budget, I have increased allocation for welfare programmes to ₹1,20,373 crore,” Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said on Friday.

Meanwhile, BJP MLAs held a protest at the Vidhana Soudha over the Karnataka budget. Leaders from the saffron party staged a walk out from the state Assembly during the budget presentation.

A Nirashritara Parihara Kendra (Destitute Shelter) will be set up in East Bengaluru in view of the rapid growth of the city and rising number of destitutes. This will be constructed at a cost of ₹10 crore and have a capacity of 500 persons, the budget statement read.

A Mother and Child Hospital building and other infrastructure facilities at the premises of K.C. General Hospital in Bengaluru will be taken up at a cost of ₹150 crore, it added.

“For construction of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward Classes and Minority Residential Schools and Hostels, a total of Rs. 2,710 crore has been provided. A total of 29 residential school complexes belonging to various departments will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹638 crore,” CM Siddaramaiah further announced.

CM Siddaramaiah also pushed for welfare of the SC/ST community by allotting ₹27,674 crore for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan in 2024-25 and ₹11,447 crores for the Scheduled Tribe sub-project, mking up a total of ₹39,121 crore.

The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka has decided to allot large chunks of this year's budget to the welfare of women and children, at ₹86,423 crore and ₹54,617 crore, respectively.

1. Two-wheelers will be distributed in 2024-25 to 1,500 special persons who are yet to be provided motorized two-wheelers.
2. In order to improve the lives of gender minorities, the massage provided under the Maithi Yojana will be increased from ₹800 to ₹1,200. The process of identification and issuance of IDs will also be simplified.
3. Various programs will be implemented for the welfare of ex-devadasis, with the current monthly fixed payment to be increased from ₹1500 to ₹2000.

Anganwadi centres are set to be developed this year. Here are the measures announced by CM Siddaramaiah for the cause:

1. ₹10 crore for organizing training workshops for 20,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers for capacity building in early childhood education and care.
2. ₹90 crores to facilitate activities carried out through Anganwadi. As mnay as 75,938 smart phones will be provided to Anganwadi workers and supervisors at the cost.
3. ₹200 crore to be provided to construct buildings to carry out Anganwadi activities as 1,000 Anganwadis are currently functioning in rented buildings.
4. Gratuity benefits will be given to Anganwadi workers and helpers.

On the Congress government's Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which is part of the party's five main poll promises, CM Siddaramaiah said, “1.33 crore women are being benefited. Till the end of January, 1.17 crore women have registered under the scheme and so far ₹11,726 crore has been directly transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries. ₹28,608 crore in the year 2024-25 will be provided. This leads to family maintenance as well as income generation.”

₹2,000 crore has been allotted for the development of canals in Varuna assembly constituency, namely, for the Gubbia Mathadahalli drinking water project and the Arkavati River Front Development projects near Ramanagara.

The Karnataka government has further allocated ₹365 crore to fill water from Bhima and Kagina rivers to the Benne Thora Reservoir for drinking water supply to Kalaburagi city.

CM Siddaramaiah announced allocations to develop water resources in the state, saying, “The project of filling 38 lakes of Yalaburga-Kukanur taluk of Koppal district for drinking water and Antar Jal development has been budgeted at a cost of ₹970 crore in the current year. ₹990 crore from Narayanpura canal to Pamanakallur and other areas of Maski taluk of Raichur district. A project to provide irrigation facilities will be taken up in the sum.”