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Bengaluru: Liquor is set to get costlier in the state of Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the Budget for FY 2024-25 on Friday at the Vidhana Soudha. During the Budget speech, he announced a hike in the excise duty on alcohol to boost the sales of Indian-made liquor, an important source of revenue for the state treasury. It is noteworthy that this is the second time in the past seven months that the state government has chosen to raise beer duties. The tax tweak will align the state’s liquor prices with those in neighbouring states. CM Siddaramaiah beer prices would witness the increment.
The Chief Minister, in his budget speech, specially mentioned that beer prices would see an increment in the state.
CM announces the establishment of 73-km long Bengaluru Business Corridor with an allocation of ₹27,000 crore. The corridor was earlier called as Peripheral Ring Road.
CM Siddaramaiah announced the budget amid the amid massive disruption by Opposition members. He said that the hike in the excise duty on alcohol boosted the sales of Indian-made liquor, an important source of revenue for the state treasury.
Holding both the position of Chief Minister and the finance portfolio, Siddaramaiah’s 15th budget marks a record milestone in his political career.
This is also his 8th budget presentation while holding the position of Chief Minister, establishing a noteworthy record in his political career.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s consecutive budget presentation underscores his leadership and fiscal stewardship over the state’s economy.
With the budget announcement imminent, citizens across Bengaluru express their anticipation and hopes for impactful policy measures that address critical issues facing the state.
Addressing the legislature, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the inclusive nature of the budget, which includes the preamble for the first time.
Despite presenting a revenue deficit budget, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to welfare programs, with a significant increase in budgetary allocation to Rs 1,20,373 crore.
Moreover, he underscored the importance of fiscal discipline by ensuring that the fiscal deficit remains within 3 per cent of GDSP.
CM Siddaramaiah said, “Though I have presented a Revenue deficit budget, I have increased the budgetary allocation for welfare programmes to Rs 1,20,373cr. I have ensured fiscal condition by keeping fiscal deficit within 3 per cent of GDSP.”
In a move towards enhancing education infrastructure and quality, the government announced plans to upgrade 2,000 Government Primary schools as bilingual schools, offering instruction in both Kannada and English.
Additionally, the primary education department will focus on several initiatives, including the establishment of Karnataka Public School (KPS) schools providing pre-primary to pre-university education under one roof and implementing the ‘Ganitha-Ganaka’ program in collaboration with the J-PAL Institute for grades 3-5.
Furthermore, the ‘Marusinchana Programme’, aimed at improving the learning ability of 6th and 7th grade students, will be initiated with a budgetary allocation of Rs 10 crore. The government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for providing science and computer labs and internet facilities in government high schools over a two-year period.
CM Siddaramaiah said, “Marusinchana Programme at a cost of Rs 10 crore to improve the learning ability of 6th and 7th standard students; 4. Rs 50 crore earmarked for providing science and computer labs and internet facilities under a two-year package in government high schools.”
Marusinchana, initiated by the Karnataka government, aims to enhance the quality of education and elevate performance in the Class 10 board examination.
In December 2023, a collaboration between the Karnataka government and Transform Schools, People for Action, was established to expand the Marusinchana program statewide, employing the Transform Learning model.
In an effort to enhance the quality of higher education, the government announced the establishment of government high schools and pre-university colleges in collaboration with the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board.
CM Siddaramaiah said, “Navu Manujaru, an interactive two-hour class involving discussion and debates, will be conducted every week in all schools. Government high schools and pre-university colleges will be started in collaboration with the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board. 74 Adarsh schools in the state will be upgraded to pre-university colleges with commerce and science combinations. A grant of Rs 10 lakh each will be provided to upgrade science labs in PU colleges with an enrollment of more than 400 in the science stream.”.
Additionally, 74 Adarsh schools will be upgraded as pre-university colleges with commerce and science combinations, with a grant of Rs 10 lakh each provided for upgrading science labs in PU colleges.
To support students preparing for competitive exams, the government will launch NEET/JEE/CET training programs for approximately 20,000 students studying in science streams in government PU colleges, with a budget of Rs 10 crore allocated for the initiative.
Moreover, recruitment of teachers in government primary and high schools will be initiated to address staffing needs.
CM Siddaramaiah said, “NEET/JEE/CET Training program for about 20,000 students studying in science stream in government PU colleges at a cost of Rs 10 crore Recruitment of teachers in government primary and High schools is to be started, however, no figures are listed. 30 government women first-grade colleges and government women polytechnics will be upgraded at Rs 30 crore. Rs 250 cr will be provided for the upgrading of first-grade degree colleges and Rs 120 cr for government polytechnics and engineering colleges”.
The budget also prioritizes the upgrading of educational institutions, with plans to upgrade 30 government Women First Grade Colleges and government Women Polytechnics at a cost of Rs 30 crore.
Additionally, Rs 250 crore will be allocated for the upgrading of first-grade degree colleges and Rs 120 crore for government polytechnics and engineering colleges.
Infrastructure development remains a key focus of the budget, with initiatives to establish constituent colleges of universities in various districts and talukas, including Koppal, Bidar, Yadagiri, Raichur, and Kalaburagi. The historic University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) will be upgraded on par with IITs, with an investment of Rs 500 crore.
CM Siddaramaiah said, “The 2024 Budget incorporates the creation of state-of-the-art critical care blocks in every district of the state to improve healthcare for critically ill patients. Construction has started in 15 districts, with an investment of Rs 187 crore. Taluka hospitals with 100 beds will be built in Anekal, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Shringeri, Khanapura, Shirahatti, and Yelandur talukas, where no such hospitals currently exist, at a total cost of Rs 280 crore.”
In the healthcare sector, the budget includes plans to construct state-of-the-art critical care blocks in every district, with construction underway in 15 districts at an investment of Rs 187 crore.
Additionally, taluka hospitals with 100 beds will be built in Anekal, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Shringeri, Khanapura, Shirahatti, and Yelandur talukas, addressing healthcare infrastructure gaps.
(With Agency Inputs)
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