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Karnataka Budget
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 and strict action will be taken to prevent drug abuse in schools, colleges and universities. Presenting the state budget for 2026-27, he assured that 15,000 vacant posts of teachers in schools and colleges will be filled next fiscal. "With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16," he said. He announced that a grant of Rs 565 crore will be provided for the construction of new rooms and repair works in government primary, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges, Rs 75 crore for the construction of toilets and Rs 25 crore for the procurement of furniture in schools. A grant of Rs 125 crore will be made for the maintenance of government primary schools, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges. Stressing that schools, colleges and universities
Presenting his 17th budget on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, by not adhering to the federal system of governance as per the constitution, the Centre is doing injustice to Karnataka. He also said that the state government is pursuing a development strategy that balances welfare programmes with investments in infrastructure and long-term economic transformation, while urging the Union government to be more sensitive to the state's demands. Presenting the budget for 2026-27, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka remains at the forefront of the nation's development and is among the largest contributors of tax revenues to the country. "Our state is at the forefront in all sectors of the nation's development; it is one of the key states that contributes the highest tax revenues," he said. Total expenditure for 2026-27 is estimated at Rs 4,48,004 crore, Siddaramaiah said. This is the 17th budget that he presented in his political career.
Signalling that he will continue as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has asserted that he would present his record 17th Budget next year. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March. He was speaking at the golden jubilee of LG Havanur on Wednesday, marking submission of the first backward classes commission report. "When I first became finance minister, a newspaper wrote -- this Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) can't count a hundred sheep, how will he function as Karnataka's finance minister -- I accepted this as a challenge..... I have presented 16 budgets. Next, I will present the 17th budget," Siddaramaiah said, drawing loud applause. The 2026-27 budget is likely to be presented in March next year, and preparatory work has already begun. Siddaramaiah's comments come amid speculations about a possible leadership change in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November. There was s
Describing the Karnataka Budget as a model for the country, State Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said it is good for "Brand Bengaluru," with several projects planned to address the city's traffic issues, including a tunnel road project. Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in charge of Bengaluru development, said that 700-800 km of new roads are being added to the city. "The budget is a model for the country. Other states will also take note of it. It is a good budget for Brand Bengaluru. It is not for us; it is for the benefit of the 1.40 crore population of the city. The tunnel road project will happen," Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters, he said flyovers will be constructed to address traffic issues. Additionally, double-decker flyovers will be built, and new Metro projects will be taken up with 50 per cent contributions each from the city corporation and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). A network of 300 km of additional roads will also be
The opposition BJP and JD(S) held an all-night dharna in both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature demanding a discussion on the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which involves plots given to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife. The BJP and JD(S) legislators spent the night in the Assembly and Council. As part of the protest, they held demonstrations holding placards, and raised slogans -- in the form of "bhajans" -- against the Congress government, Siddaramaiah and Speaker U T Khader for not allowing a discussion. The legislators including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, and BJP state President and MLA B Y Vijayendra later slept in the Assembly premises. Similar scenes were seen at the Legislative Council too. The opposition parties said they would continue their protest on the issue in both the Houses on Thursday too. Claiming that the needle of suspicion in the MUDA "scam" is pointing towards the .
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed on Wednesday several leaders from opposition parties will be joining the ruling Congress in the coming days, and that he does not want to divulge the "secret" now. He also did not rule out the possibility of "rebel" BJP MLAs S T Somashekar and Arabail Shivaram Hebbar joining Congress. "Why take just two-three names?" Shivakumar asked reporters here, in response to a question on whether Somashekar and Hebbar are joining the Congress. He subsequently nodded his head in agreement, when asked whether more people will be joining the party. Questioned as to how many will be joining Congress from other parties, the state Congress chief said: "why talk about it now? I have told our party workers to induct all those willing and who have regards for the party, locally." Asked if MLAs from other parties will be joining Congress, he said, "How can I divulge the secrets?" Hebbar, MLA from Yellapur, did not turn up for the voting despite a
Asserting his government's commitment to implement various irrigation and drinking water projects related to inter-state rivers including Mekedatu over Cauvery, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday in the state Assembly detailed clearances and approvals pending with the Central government. Presenting the 2024-25 budget in the Assembly, he listed out steps to implement various projects such as Mekedatu, Kalasa-Banduri, Upper Krishna, Upper Bhadra and Yettihanole, among others. A separate project division and two sub-divisions have already been set up to implement the ambitious Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and drinking water project of Cauvery river valley, Siddaramaiah said, adding that a survey to identify land that will be submerged under this project and the counting process of trees have already been initiated. He also said action will be taken on priority to commence work early after obtaining remaining necessary clearances from the competent authorities. The Chief .
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday strongly defended his government's guarantee schemes, asserting that they are not "election gimmicks", while strongly criticising the Centre for its "anti-people" decisions. Presenting the state budget for 2024-25 in the Legislative Assembly, he said the tax slabs for Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer are proposed to be revised, in order to rationalise them and make them competitive with neighbouring states. This was Siddaramaiah's record 15th budget as Finance Minister of Karnataka, and the second under the present Congress regime. He said his government is marching ahead towards setting a new example of Karnataka Model of Development founded on the principles of justice, equality and fraternity enshrined in our Constitution. Claiming that the UPA Government during its tenure at the Centre, had taken up people-centric schemes and legislations to provide food security, healthcare, education, employment, Siddaramaiah said, "however, th
Led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, top Congress leaders from Karnataka on Wednesday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here against the Centre over "injustice" meted out to the state in devolution of taxes. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, several MPs, ministers and MLAs from the state took part in the protest. The Congress alleges that "injustice" has been meted out to Karnataka in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years. The protesters demanded that the Centre set right the losses to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore allegedly incurred by Karnataka under the 15th Finance Commission. Siddaramaiah said this protest is not against the BJP but the discrimination against Karnataka. Dismissing the BJP's allegation that the protest was aimed at raking up the North-South divide, the chief minister said the Congress wants the country to be united but there should be no discrimination against the southern states. The chief minister said the formula used to devolve taxe
Stepping up the attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, the ruling Congress in Karnataka led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will stage a protest in New Delhi on Wednesday, alleging "injustice" to the State in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years. The protest by all Congress legislators and MPs from the state, including Ministers that comes ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls will begin at 11 am tomorrow at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The protesters would demand Centre set right the losses allegedly incurred by the Karnataka to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore, during five years under the 15th finance commission. Incidentally, CPI (M) veteran and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his Cabinet colleagues will stage a protest in the national capital against the Centre's alleged negligence towards the southern state. Elsewhere, in Kolkata TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a protest on Friday agains
Karnataka government has signed eight MoUs worth Rs 23,000 crore with global companies at the recently concluded World Economic Forum meet at Davos in Switzerland, Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Wednesday. A Karnataka delegation, which he led, engaged in over 50 meetings with global industry leaders in Davos. "Karnataka successfully signed eight MoUs worth Rs 23,000 crore with global companies. Noteworthy agreements include Web Werks' Rs 20,000 crore investment for a hyper-scale data centre and Microsoft's commitment to digital skilling interventions," Patil told reporters here. The Minister said Hitachi signed an MoU to "stimulate" economic growth in Karnataka, particularly focusing on rural areas. The partnership with emphasis on developing sectors such as healthcare, education, and Panchayat E-Governance aims to create more opportunities and employment for the people of the state, Patil said. Further, MoUs have been signed by five companies across sector