Karnataka Interim Budget 2024-25: Key Highlights

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also serves as the Finance Minister, presented the Karnataka Budget 2024 on February 16. This budget provides a preview of the ruling Congress party's agenda ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in April-May this year.

Here are the highlights:

• 50 women-run cafes with the name of Cafe Sanjeevini will be launched across the State during this year for 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.
• Kisan Malls to be set up in select districts in the State. Government to set up a hi-tech commercial flower market in Bengaluru and Spice Park in Chikkamagalur district under PPP Model. Foodpark to come up in three districts.
• Tourism policy will be revised for 2024-29 to attract more tourists and investors to make full use of the tourism potential of the State. Anjanadri Hills and surrounding areas of Koppal district hold mythological and historical importance, Rs 100 crore will be provided to develop tourism in these areas.
• "The total budget size is Rs 3.71 lakh crore," announced Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. He further said that the state economy is estimated to grow at 6.6 per cent in the coming financial year. "Sectoral growth reveals services and industrial sector are major contributors. Services sector grew by 8.7% and industrial sector by 7.5% in 23-24," he added.
• Amid continued disruption and sloganeering by Opposition members, CM announces establishment of 73-km long Bengaluru Business Corridor with an allocation of Rs 27,000 crore. The corridor was earlier called as Peripheral Ring Road.

• Establishment of a dedicated unit to monitor the progress of core infrastructure projects in the state.
• Establishment of separate units within the Chief Minister's office.
• Utilization of the state's 320 km coastline for various purposes.
• Improvement of ports and railways to enhance air connectivity.
• Targeting an investment of approximately Rs 20 trillion in the coming years.
• Focus on developing sea route infrastructure and promoting environmental tourism.
• Investment in the state's waterway infrastructure development.
• Initiative to attract private investments for waterway development in Karnataka.
• Priority given to the Sagarmala project for expanding coastal trade.
• Allocation of approximately Rs 1,017 crore for 26 projects.
• Proposals worth Rs 1,145 crore aimed at benefiting laborers.
• Approval of 12 projects by the central government.
• Construction of a 30 MTPA capacity port in Keni, Uttar Kannada district.
• Establishment of a new all-weather port with a budget of Rs 4,200 crore.
• Development of a second major port in Pavinkurve, Uttar Kannada district.
• Allocation of approximately Rs 3,048 crore for port development under the PPP model.
• Development of ports in Karwar, Malpe, and Old Mangalore.
• Prioritization of dredging work in 4 minor ports in Karwar and Old Mangalore.
• Proposal for the development of Vivekananda port in Mangalore.
• Procurement of firefighting equipment for the Karwar port.
• Construction of a coaster with a length of 350 meters at the Old Mangalore port.
• Expectation of completion of these projects by 2024-25.
• Plan for an international cruise port in South Kanara district.
• Collaboration with IIT Madras for IT support in port development.
• Introduction of a water metro service on Gurupura and Netravati rivers in Mangalore.

Aviation

• Development of airports at a cost of Rs 1600 crore.
• Expansion of Mysore Airport's runway.
• Allocation of Rs 126 crore for land acquisition.
• Release of Rs 43 crore for current projects, initiating work for laborers.
• Upcoming commencement of airport operations in Vijayapura.
• Allocation of Rs 30 crore for the development of Hassan Airport.
• Grant of Rs 220 crore for Raichur Airport.
• Construction of a Signage Business Park near Kempegowda Airport.
• Development of Signage Business Park with a plan outlay of Rs 417 crore.

Commerce and Industry

• Establishment of a new sugar factory near Mysuru.
• Initiative for the development of agriculture and horticulture in rural and urban areas.
• Creation of a Mega Textiles Park spanning 1000 acres in Kalaburagi district.
• Direct employment opportunities for 1 lakh people, indirect employment for 2 lakh people.
• Development of parks in Kittur, Kalyana Karnataka, and the Mysore region.
• Expansion of the jeans apparel park in Ballari.
• Establishment of mini parks in 25 districts for the convenience of entrepreneurs.
• Provision of financial assistance for entrepreneurs through Neethi Ayoga.
• Encouragement for food processing activities in Badanavalu and Nandagad.
• Allocation for industrial development on 6000 acres near Dharwad.

• Kannada and Culture

• Government announcement of Basavannar as a 'Cultural Hero'.
• Inclusion of 'Cultural Hero' in all portraits.
• Establishment of an Authority for the development of Basavan Bagewadi.
• Establishment of a Vachana Sangrahalaya in Kalaburagi.
• Requirement for all offices, shops, and industries.
• Reservation of 60% for Kannadigas in all institutions' nameplates.
• Encouragement for the development of Tulu, Kodava, Beary, and Konkani languages.
• Increased funding and support for drama performances.
• Allocation of Rs 1 crore for the Kanaka Study Center.
• Construction of a memorial for former CM S. Bangarappa.
• Cattle Protection
• Continuation of the Amrit Mahila Yojane (Amrit Mahila Abhimanini Kuri Gahi Yojane)
• Financial assistance for 10,000 fruit growers
• Financial support for women purchasing cows and buffaloes
• Support for women who repay loans punctually
• Government offers a 6% interest subsidy
• Training provided to farmers for cattle and poultry farming
• Upgrading of 20 taluk veterinary hospitals to polyclinics
• Allocation of Rs 10 crore for polyclinic upgrades
• Allocation of Rs 100 crore for constructing new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions
• Distribution of identification cards to mobile veterinary officers
• Vaccination for sheep and goats at their location

Fisheries

• Implementation of fisheries schemes worth Rs 3000 crore
• Establishment of a Fisheries Research Center in Honnavar Taluk
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art fish market in Bhadravathi
• Development of a fisheries port in Murdeshwar
• Establishment of a skill development center for inland fisheries in Alamatti
• Increase in relief amount for fishermen in case of calamities to ₹3,000
• Increase in total relief amount from ₹1500 to ₹3000
• Procurement of the first sea ambulance at a cost of ₹70 million
• Protection for fishermen during accidents while fishing at sea
• Housing assistance for 10,000 homeless fishermen
• Upgradation of 16 fish seed production centers
• Upgradation supported with ₹200 crore under NABARD
• Allocation of ₹600 million for fisheries development in Chitradurga, Holalkere, and Hosadurga