Highlights of Karnataka state budget 2020-21

Bengaluru: Instead of earmarking funds department-wise, Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa presented the budget by dividing all departments into six sectors in an attempt to appear like he was pleasing all sections of society.

Here are the highlights of the Karnataka Budget 2020-2021:

Agriculture and allied sector

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kissan Samman Scheme, state has already announced Rs. 4000 per year for small and marginal farmers along with a grant of Rs 6000 from the Centre. The government has already transferred Rs. 825 crore to 41 lakh farmers’ accounts in the state and Rs. 2600 crore has been allocated for 2020-2021.

Yediyurappa continued the Raitha Siri Scheme of former chief minister Siddaramaiah. It is an incentive of Rs 10,000 per hectare to farmers to produce siridhanya. Farmers who are interested to shift for horticulture farming will get Rs 5000 per hectare.

Yediyurappa allocated Rs 500 crore to the Kalasa Banduri Nala Project to supply drinking water to three districts of North Karnataka following the Centre’s notification on sharing t he Mahadayi river water.

For the Yattinahole project, Rs 1500 crore has been provided in the budget. To promote the welfare of fisherwomen, Mahila Meenugaraa Sabaleekarana has been launched.

Welfare and Inclusive Growth Sector

Under the SCSP/TSP scheme meant for the overall welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the government allocated Rs 26,930 crore in the budget. Spending this amount is mandatory.

Children and youth welfare

The state government presented the first ‘child budget’ of the state in the Assembly, emphasizing overall development of children. Under this budget, Rs. 5.67 crore has been provided to construct Bala Mandiras in the state.

More funds to rehabilitation centres, reconstruction of 842 anganwadi kendras across the state is planned. Under the Upakara scheme, financial assistance of Rs 3000 will be provided up to three years to youth discharged from Balamandiras after 21 years of age to start working.

Prepaid health cards will be distributed to one lakh registered construction labourers and their families, by which they can avail treatment in the approved private hospitals across the state under the Mukhyamantrigala Arogya Suraksha Scheme.

A grant of Rs. 25 crore has been provided in the budget to establish the Vanitha Sangathi scheme, providing free bus passes to one lakh women labourers working in garment factories.

Industries, energy and infrastructure

To correct regional imbalances, a special development scheme for backward talukas will be launched. Rs 3060 crore has been earmarked for this scheme.

To provide a permanent solution to the drinking water problem, a mega water project Jaladhare has been launched. This will be implemented in Vijayapura and Mandya districts with a budget of Rs 700 crore with assistance from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

To promote investment in the state, Invest Karnataka 2020, a global investor submit will be organized in Bengaluru in November 2020.

To assist entrepreneurs, the government has decided to implement the Sakala scheme in KIADB and KSSIDC, the main service providers for starting industrial units in the state.

Bengaluru development

Under the Mukhyamantrigala Nava Nagaroththana Scheme, Rs 8344 crore was earmarked in the 2019-2020 budget. An action plan will be taken up to implement these schemes in 2020-2021.

A Shubhra Bengaluru scheme will be launched by earmarking Rs 999 crore for solid waste management in Bengaluru. Under the same scheme, Rs 100 crore has been provided to clean up Bengaluru lakes.

Kannada culture, youth, sports and tourism

A Samraskshana scheme will be launched to conserve and restore 25000 historically significant temples, ancient places and memorials in the state.

The Ananthkumar Foundation will be established in the name of the Ananthkumar. To inculcate leadership and values in youth, the foundation will be vested with a grant of Rs 10 crore.

Adminsitrative reforms

A digital media advertisement policy will be formulated in the name of renowned writer D.V. Gundappa.

The chief minister promised to implement the Police Gruhabhagya 2020 scheme with funding of Rs. 200 crore.

For the education of autodrivers’ children, Rs 2000 per year will be provided to each family with a total outlay of Rs 40 crore in 2020-2021.