On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled his 16th budget. The Karnataka Budget 2025–2026 was allocated ₹4.095 lakh crore. The five guarantee schemes promised by the state's Congress government were given ₹51,034 crore in the Karnataka budget.
The following are the main points of the Karnataka Budget 2025–2026:
1. For capital investment, ₹82,000 crore was allotted. "This makes Karnataka one of the highest capital investment making states," stated
2. It's likely that liquor prices will be examined and raised to reflect those in nearby states.
3. A 4% Muslim reservation was added to government contracts and tenders.
4. ₹100 crore grant for Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities' comprehensive development. ₹250 crore will be provided for the development of the Christian community. Sannati Development Authority will be established in the ancient Buddhist center of Sannati, located in Chittapura taluka of Kalaburgi district.
5. Temple priests' annual salary has increased from ₹60,000 to ₹72,000. Jain priests, Sikh Chief Grantis, and mosque Pesh-Imams will now receive a monthly honorarium of ₹6,000 each. The monthly honorarium for Assistant Granti and Muezzin has increased to ₹5,000.
Muezzin fees have been increased to ₹5,000 per month.
The government also announced the construction of an additional building in Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru to provide facilities and amenities to Haj pilgrims and their families.
6. The state will launch its own OTT to help develop Kannada language programmes.
7. ₹94,084 crore has been allocated for women-centric programmes.
8. A total of ₹62,033 crore was allocated for child-centered programs. The National Foreign Student Scholarship for minority students will increase from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
9. The Karnataka Minority Development Corporation will encourage minority youth to start their own businesses. Rs. 150 crores has been allocated for the repair and renovation of Waqf properties, infrastructure development, and the protection of Muslim burial grounds.
10. Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ₹200 ticket price cap for multiplexes. "The cost of the ticket of each show in all theatres of the state including multiplexes will be capped at ₹200," the budget document read.
11. The monthly pension for journalists facing hardship will be increased from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.15,000/-, and the family pension from ₹6,000/- to Rs.7,500/-.
What lies ahead for Bengaluru?
1. The budget allocation for Bengaluru has increased to ₹7,000 crore. The Brand Bengaluru initiative includes 21 projects worth ₹1,800 crore.
2. The Brand Bengaluru Plan will implement a 'Comprehensive Health Programme' at a cost of ₹413 crore over three years. The goal is to elevate Bengaluru to global health standards.
3. A 40.5 km double decker flyover will be built at a cost of ₹8,916 crore as part of the Namma Metro Phase - 3 Project to reduce vehicular congestion and improve traffic flow on Bengaluru's major roads.
4. A network of 300 kms additional roads will be constructed at a cost of ₹3,000 crore using canal buffer zones.
5. The BBMP area's 460-kilometer arterial and sub-arterial road network will cost ₹660 crore to develop.
6. Bengaluru will see the construction of 120km of flyovers and grade separators.
7. ₹3,000 crore has been allocated to address weather-related challenges and improve the city's drainage and sewage treatment infrastructure.
8. Another ₹555 crore has been allocated for the fifth phase of the Cauvery water supply project, which aims to provide drinking water to 110 villages.
9. The Bengaluru Metro network will also be expanded to 98.60 kilometres, with improved access to Devanahalli.
10. A 200-bed hospital in Bengaluru North will cost ₹150 crore to construct.
11. In response to increased vehicular congestion in Bengaluru's market committees, a new satellite market will be established on the outskirts of the city.
12. Bangalore City University will now be known as Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University.
