Karnataka Budget

Siddaramaiah hints at continuing as CM, says will present Budget next year

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

Yashwant Varma's transfer, Karnataka’s Muslim quota bill, UPI IDs to be inactive & more

A fire at the residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma led to the discovery of a large stash of unaccounted cash.

Freebie debate: Growing debt is forcing states to rethink poll promises

Increasing debt burdens are forcing states to reassess poll-time welfare promises, as fiscal constraints make it harder to sustain freebie-driven policies amid growing financial pressures

K'taka budget model for country, boosts 'Brand Bengaluru': Dy CM Shivakumar

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

Haryana Fighter jet crash, Sebi transparency, Karnataka budget, Tahawwur Rana & more

India Air Force's Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Haryana's Panchkula during a training sortie due to a system malfunction. The pilot ejected safely after steering it away from habitation.

Fiscal deficit maintained in FY26, focus on B'luru: CM on Karnataka Budget

According to the Karnataka government's Budget, for the financial year 2025-26, revenue deficit is estimated to be Rs. 19,262 crores, which is 0.63 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)

Working to revive Karnataka economy after BJP's mismanagement: Siddaramaiah

The chief minister said that the BJP government took up projects worth seven times more than the budget allocated

BJP, JD(S) organise all-night dharna in K'taka Legislature over MUDA 'scam'

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 .

Several Oppn leaders will join Congress, says K'taka Dy CM Shivakumar

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

Karnataka govt announces Rs 100 cr for makeover of 'birthplace' of Hanuman

Karnataka budget 2024: The announcement was made during the 15th budget presentation by Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio of the state

CM Siddaramaiah asserts commitment to implement Mekedatu, other schemes

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 budget: CM Siddaramaiah defends guarantees, attacks Centre

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

Karnataka CM, Congress leaders protest against Centre at Jantar Mantar

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

K'taka govt to agitate in Delhi against Centre, to protest at Jantar Mantar

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 signs MoUs worth Rs 23,000 cr at WEF meet: Minister Patil

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

DKS vs Siddaramaiah: Caste census splits Karnataka Congress wide open

The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has also demanded that the government order a fresh caste census

K'taka govt to spend Rs 52,000 cr schemes, retain fiscal deficit at 2.6%

The new regime raised the projection of nominal GSDP growth to 17.7 per cent against seven per cent by the previous BJP government for the current financial year

Karnataka Budget will be presented on July 7, says CM Siddaramaiah

Reacting to the increase in electricity tariff, the CM said that a decision was taken about the increase by KERC and the same was being implemented

Karnataka Govt allots Rs 30 cr to build startup park near Bengaluru airport

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said a state-of-the-art startup park would be established at a cost of Rs 30 crore near Kempegowda International Airport here. Presenting his government's last budget in the Legislative Assembly, he also said new industrial clusters will be established in nine places by Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC). Bommai said a feasibility report has already been prepared for the construction of airports in Davangere and Koppal districts, and steps will be taken to commence the construction work this year. Stating that people are showing more interest in air travel mode with a view to saving time and for hassle-free travel, the Chief Minister said in this background, the government has undertaken a record number of five new airports work in Shivamogga, Vijayapura, Hassan, Raichur and Karwar districts. Shivamogga and Vijayapura airport work will be completed this year itself, he said. Noting that administrat

Rs 500/month allocated to landless women farm labourers in Karnataka budget

Aimed at wooing women voters ahead of Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday announced certain measures targeted at them including a scheme under which Rs 500 will be provided every month to landless women farm labourers. He also announced free bus passes for women working in the organised sector and also school and college going girl students. Presenting his government's last budget ahead of polls due by April-May, Bommai said, a new scheme called "Shrama Shakthi" is being launched under which a financial assistance of Rs 500 per head per month will be provided by the government to the landless women farm labourers through direct benefit transfer (DBT). He said to enable women to start profitable home-based factories, free skill development training will be provided to one lakh women in the current year. Noting that on the lines of 'Mathrupoorna' programme, eligible married women will be provided with mid-day meal and prophylactic IFA (iron folic ac