Bengaluru: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, February 16, presented the state budget for 2023-24 underlining his government’s focus on women, children, tribals, education and the infrastructure sector.
Emphasising on creating a “Karnataka model of development”, the Siddaramaiah government allocated Rs 86,423 crore for gender budget, Rs 54,617 for children and Rs 39,121 crore for SCSP (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan).
Speaking on the Gruha Lakshmi scheme which was implemented last year as one of the guarantees promised during the Assembly elections, the chief minister said, “As on end of January, 1.17 crore women have registered under the scheme. Rs.11,726 crore has been directly transferred to the account of beneficiaries. In the year 2024-25, Rs. 28,608 crore is provided for this scheme. This money will support women to take up various income generating activities. It will also provide them with financial support for day-to-day household expenditure.”
Notably, for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer, the Congress government announced in the budget that digital mammography machines will be provided to 20 district hospitals and colposcopy machines will be provided to K.C. General Hospital, Bengaluru and district hospitals in three districts – Udupi, Kolar and Davanagere.
Siddaramaiah also underlined that the usage of menstrual cups will be promoted among women from SHGs, women members of Gram Panchayats and frontline workers of rural areas, which in turn will inspire other women in the villages.
With respect to the unorganised sector, it was announced that a platform-based gig workers fund and welfare fee bill will be implemented to formulate welfare programmes for gig workers.
While women in Karnataka are allowed to travel for free in non-luxury public buses under the Shakti scheme, this time in the budget, Siddaramaiah announced a free bus pass scheme for rural journalists to travel within the district limits for their professional work.
The Congress government in the state has also proposed that under the Anna-Suvidha ration programme senior citizens above the age of 80 years will also receive food grains at their doorstep. It was previously implemented on a pilot basis for people aged 90 years and above. Further, Rs 1000 incentive was announced to be given to caretakers of people suffering from Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dsytrophy, Parkinsons and Multiple Sclerosis.
In an over three-hour long speech, Siddaramaiah quoted a song from Dr Rajkumar’s film Bangarada Manushya, a diaolgue from recent Kannada hit movie Daredevil Musthafa, Lingayat philosopher Aydakki Lakkamma, social worker and poet Ibrahim Sutar , and Jawaharlal Nehru, Kuvempu and Basavanna.
Income-earning avenues for women
The Karnataka chief minister announced that 50 women-run cafes, called Cafe Sanjeevini, will be launched across the state during this year at a cost of Rs 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,” Siddaramaiah said.
Further, it was announced that in collaboration with the Coffee Board, one lakh women members of SHGs will be trained as coffee entrepreneurs and 2,500 coffee kiosks managed exclusively by SHG women will be set up at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Another major proposal is to develop 50,000 women SHG owned micro-enterprises in the next two years.
Among other things, Siddaramaiah also mentioned that Savitribai Phule Women Empowerment Programme will be initiated in 100 select Gram Panchayats of the State to provide vocational skill training consistent with women’s aspirations and interests. Moreover, cold press oil units will be established in all the Gram Panchayats of the state through the self help groups with financial assistance of Rs.1 lakh each.
Focus on the tribal communities
In the budget, the Congress government announced that Rs 25,000 monthly stipend will be given to 100 Scheduled Tribe research scholars, doing post doctoral fellowship and 20% seats will be reserved for children of 23 nomadic and semi-nomadic communities in every residential school and a special cell will be established to provide ration card and other government documents to such families.
Regional imbalance
In his speech, Siddaramaiah mentioned that a high-powered committee will be constituted to study the changes brought about by the measures taken in the state in the last 22 years based on Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa report. Moreover, it was announced that a new development index will be prepared by categorising districts and taluks based on the findings of the committee, regarding economic and regional imbalance in the state.
In 2001, a committee headed by D.M. Nanjundappa was formed to examine the regional imbalances in Karnataka and categorise the taluks based on cumulative development index.
Special emphasis on primary education
With the help of CSR grants, it was announced that Karnataka public schools will be started with the objective of providing pre-primary to pre-university education all under one roof.
Underlining the government’s focus on improving the learning outcomes among school children, the Siddaramaiah government announced two programmes – Ganitha-Ganaka programme and Marusinchana Programme.
Under the Ganitha-Ganaka programme, the Karnataka government will collaborate with J-PAL Institute for students studying in 3rd to 5th standards. “The purpose of this programme is to make children like and learn mathematics,” Siddaramaiah said. The proposed Marusinchana Programme will be taken up at a cost of Rs 10 crore to improve the learning ability of students of 6th and 7th standard who are lagging behind.
“Navu Manujaru, an interactive two-hour class involving discussion and debates will be conducted every week in all schools and colleges. These classes will promote ideas of social harmony, scientific temper and coexistence,” the chief minister mentioned.
In an array of announcements related to the education sector, the government also announced that NEET/JEE/CET training programme will be organised for about 20,000 students studying in science stream in government pre-university colleges at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
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Traffic decongestion and trade and commerce
“Under Sugama Sanchara-Brand Bengaluru, an expert organisation of international repute has been engaged. Based on their report, measures will be taken to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru,” Siddaramaiah said underlining his government’s intention to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city on a priority basis.
“Widening of existing roads is difficult due to scarcity of land and problems in land acquisition. In this backdrop, the state government has decided to resolve traffic congestion in the city by constructing underground tunnels. On a pilot basis, a tunnel will be constructed this year at Hebbal junction where there is high traffic congestion,” he added.
Further, the chief minister announced that shops and establishments will be allowed to open till 1 am in Bengaluru and 10 other corporation areas in order to further trade and commerce. This is a move which is welcomed by the business community, The Indian Express reported.
Urban infrastructure development
Multiple announcements were made in order to “decongest Bengaluru” and develop other urban centres in the state. “Under Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana-2.0, Rs 2,000 crore will be provided for development of infrastructure in 10 Municipal Corporations,” Siddaramaiah said.
“In the vicinity of Bengaluru, Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Doddaballapura, Magadi and Bidadi towns will be developed as satellite townships with road and rail connectivity,” he added.
Further, the chief minister announced the proposal to develop integrated townships near Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, K.G.F, Vasanthanarasapura of Tumakuru and Ballari.
