2023 Karnataka Budget Highlights: NEP Scrapped, Minority Welfare, Bengaluru Development And More

Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah presented his 14th budget in Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha earlier today (7 July). This will be his seventh budget presentation as a Chief Minister.

Siddaramaiah, earlier in his political career, had presented budgets under the chief ministerships of H D Deve Gowda, J H Patel and Dharam Singh.

The budget has been increased to Rs 3,27,000 crore to accommodate the additional financial requirements as a result of the expenditure incurred by the freebies and various other welfare schemes announced as a part of the Congress manifesto, ahead of the assembly elections this year.

According to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the state will need an additional Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 crore to fulfill its promises.

Here are some of the highlights of the Karnataka Budget-2023:

SEP To Replace NEP

CM Siddaramaiah also announced that Karnataka will implement a 'State Education Policy (SEP). He further stated that the National Education Policy will be scrapped.

Terming it 'Marusinchana', Siddaramaiah stated that 33 lakh students will benefit from SEP.

Namma Metro Gets Rs 30,000 Crore

Bengaluru's Namma Metro has received an allotment of Rs 30,000 crore — one among Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's big ticket announcements as a part of his 14th budget presentation.

No Cheers, Only Tears

Alcohol is set to cost more in Karnataka, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announces a hike on the existing taxes.

According to Deccan Herald, Indian-made liquor will cost 20 per cent more. The excise duty on beer has been increased from 175 per cent to 185 per cent. More details awaited on this.

Minority Welfare Schemes

• Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the establishment of Karnataka State Christian Development Corporation.

• Minority students to be provided interest-free loans to the tune of Rs 20 lakh to pursue graduate and post graduate degrees in foreign universities with a global ranking of below 250.

• A total of 868 non-Hindu religious institutions are set to receive an amount of Rs 60,000 as per the provisions of the Karnataka Inam Abolition Act.

• Language labs at Morarji Desai Residential School gets Rs 5 crore to improve Kannada and English languages of students belonging to the minority community.

• Rs 25 crore has been allocated for the redevelopment of the famous Halasuru Gurudwara.

• Rs 50 crore to develop Waqf board and other religious properties.

Indira Canteens To Make A Comeback

Rs 100 crore has been allotted by the state government for the renovation and redevelopment of Indira Canteens in the state.

Bengaluru Development

• Focusing on the nine problems in Bengaluru — traffic management, public health, solid waste management, people friendly e-governance, water security, animal health, proper utilisation of public places and flood management — Brand Bengaluru receives a mention in the budget document.

• A mega jewellery park has been announced in Bengaluru. This, according to CM Siddaramaiah, will create employment for 10,000 people.

• Rs 8,409 crore has been allocated for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru.

• A new Technology Innovation Park will be developed in Bengaluru's Kadugodi which is expected to offer services in design, innovation, testing and research. This will house a technical research institute as well.

• Karnataka Aerospace Technology Centre will be established in Devanahalli to promote the aerospace sector in the state.

• Rs 1,250 crore for Bengaluru's waste management has been announced as a part of Karnataka's overall waste management budget of Rs 3,400 crore.

• Rs 800 crore has been earmarked for the white-topping of Bengaluru roads, which face the issue of potholes.

• 20 sewage treatment plants in the city to be upgraded by March 2026 at a cost of Rs 1,411 crore.

Unmarried, Divorced Women And Gender Minorities To Get Pension

The government of Karnataka will be increasing the monthly pension being paid to divorcees, unmarried women and gender minorities from Rs 600 to Rs 800. It is estimated that 1,32,000 people will be beneficiaries to this.