Budget: From English Skills To Job Creation, How Siddaramaiah's Govt Tries To Woo Karnataka Youths

Siddaramaiah's budget announcement for 2024 reflects a concerted effort towards addressing the issues of unemployment and economic disparities.

With the nation prepping up for the Lok Sabha polls, his budget has tried to woo youths by prioritizing skills training and fostering employment opportunities.

"As the nation is adversely affected by steep price rise, unemployment and huge income disparities, it is the duty of the State to increase budgetary allocation towards welfare schemes which directly benefit the poor. While such welfare schemes tend to increase the revenue deficit, such welfare expenditure is necessary to ensure that the fruits of development reach the poorest of the poor. The achievement of revenue surplus is meaningless if the State Government cannot come to the aid of the poor and needy in times of distress," SIddaramaiah said in his speech.

Here are the key points aimed at youths:

• Up-skilling in drone-based photography and videography has immense potential for employment in social media. Therefore, drone training will be imparted to 5,000 youngsters belonging to Scheduled Tribes who are already engaged in this profession.
• Monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 will be provided to 100 research students belonging to Scheduled Tribes who are pursuing postdoctoral fellowships and are not receiving any fellowship.
• Two new initiatives will be launched for the comprehensive development of 23 nomadic, semi-nomadic communities like Koraga, Jenukuruba, yarava, Kadukuruba, Soliga, Gonda, Siddhi, Malaikudi, Kudiya, Hasalaru, Gowdalu, Bettakuruba, Hakki-Pikki, Iruliga, Rajagonda, Harinishikari etc.,;
• 20 seats will be reserved in every Ekalavya model residential school. Such students will also be exempt from the entrance test.
• A special cell will be established for a period of 1 year with an allocation of Rs 3 crore, to facilitate them to obtain ration cards and other government records.

• Yuvanidhi is a scheme which reassures the unemployed youth and supports them with financial assistance as they search for jobs. The Yuvanidhi scheme was launched on the birthday of Swami Vivekanand which is also the National Youth Day. Under this scheme, a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs. 3,000 is given to unemployed degree holders and Rs. 1,500 unemployment allowance is given to diploma holders who are unemployed and
• searching for job.
• Apart from the unemployment allowance, skill development training will be imparted to these youths by Department of Skill Development to improve their employability. More than one lakh youths have registered under this scheme and unemployment allowance of Rs.24 crore has been transferred through DBT.
• A State Skill Policy will be framed for the effective utilization of human resources of the State equip the youngsters with the necessary skills for meaningful employment and also to help them explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Under Yuvanidhi Plus initiative, job readiness and skills training will be given to 25,000 yuvanidhi beneficiaries under the various ongoing skill courses provided by Skill Development Department. Yuva samruddi udyoga mela will be organised in various parts of the State by bringing job seekers and employers under one roof. 214. To address the need for skilled workforce in industrial and emerging sectors, a Skill Academy will be set up in Sanduru of Ballari through at a cost of Rs.300 crore.
• GTTC Multi-Skill Development Centres will be established in Kalaburagi, Talakal of Koppal district and Varuna of Mysuru district in collaboration with Vishveshwaraiah Technological University at a cost of Rs. 350 crore. First phase will be implemented over three years at a cost of Rs.120 crore.

• New GTTCs will be set up in Ballari and Chitradurga and in Ron of Gadag with the financial assistance of NABARD. Rs 150 crore in all will be provided for this.
• 217. Additional diploma courses such as Electronics & Communication, Megatronics, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Robotics etc. will be introduced in various GTTC centres in a phased manner. This will benefit 15,000 students additionally.
• First centre of excellence concentrating on CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology will be established in KGTTI, Kalburgi at a cost of Rs. 16 crore.
• To facilitate placement of ITI and GTTC students, English and communication skills training will be imparted at a cost of Rs 5 crore. More than 40,000 apprentices will be benefitted from this initiative.
• State Skill Olympics will be organized to provide benchmarks for excellence and
• prepare young trainees for international skill competitions.
• To promote entrepreneurship, Dual System of Training (DST) will be extended in all ITIs of the State in a phased manner in collaboration with local industries and enterprises.
• The Skill Connect Summit will be organized in Global Investors Meet to create a high-quality industry-responsive skilling ecosystem which complements industrial demand in the State.
• Interactions with overseas employers are ongoing through International Migration Cell set up under KSDC. This cell will be further strengthened to ensure necessary co-ordination for overseas employment.
• Recruitment Notifications issued by organisations under the Central and the State Government will be published in a common website for the benefit of candidates.
• For women's social and economic empowerment. 50,000 women SHG-owned
• micro-enterprises will be developed over two years.

• District Level Incubation Centres (DLICs) will be established in a phased manner in all 31 districts in collaboration with IIM-B. They will serve as hubs for nurturing and empowering local-specific women's enterprises. In the first phase, incubation centres will be set up in 10 districts.
• One lakh women SHG will be supported in fisheries, beekeeping, poultry, sheep and goat rearing with forward linkages for marketing. Towards this end, Rs.100 crore will be allocated.
• 50 women-run cafes with the name of 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.
• In collaboration with Coffee Board, one lakh women members of SHGs will be trained as coffee entrepreneurs. Besides, 2,500 Coffee Kiosks managed exclusively by SHG women will be set up at a cost of Rs. 25 crore.
• Affordable and secure transit hostels will be set up for students and working women for staying overnight in cities. These lodges will be managed in partnership with women's self-help groups and urban local bodies (ULBs). The project will be launched in five cities including Bengaluru in first phase, at a cost of Rs.2 crore.
• A GP-SHG convergence policy will be implemented in order to strengthen
• Gram Panchayat level governance with active participation and leadership of local women SHGs.
• A new Knowledge, Health Care, Innovation and Research City (KHIR) will be established in 2000 acres near Bengaluru. The new KHIR City will attract an investment of Rs.40,000 crore and provide employment to about 80,000 people.
• An industrial node will be developed near Dharwad in 6,000 acres of land under Bengaluru-Mumbai economic corridor programme in collaboration with Central and State Government. This will resolve the unemployment problem of North Karnataka region and encourages economic development.

• New Textile Policy 2024-29 will be formulated for development of textile and weaving sector. Through this, a capital investment of Rs.10,000 crore is expected along with generation of 2 lakh jobs. This policy will also promote greater investment and employment opportunities.
• A Mega textile park is being established in 1,000 acres of land in Kalaburagi district under PPP model in collaboration between the State and Central Governments. The Park is expected to generate direct employment for 1 lakh people and indirect employment to 2 lakh people. Grant of Rs. 50 crore will be provided for supplemental infrastructure for this project.
• A comprehensive database Vidyavaridhi will be created in higher education sector to provide educational assistance and employment opportunities to students to encourage success of their future.