Karnataka Budget 2023 highlights: Govt increases excise duty on Indian-made liquor, guidance value on immovable properties

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah concludes the Budget 2023-24 speech

Addressing the honorable Speaker,U. T. Khader, CM Siddaramaiah said

"I will make all the necessary efforts to fully implement all the schemes and programs announced in this budget. I seek the full co-operation of all the members of this House. I am confident that I will reach the goal with all your co-operation."

"I reiterate the words of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar that, "Justice is another name of liberty, equality and fraternity", and I place this budget of Justice, Equity and Guaranteed Development for consideration of the August House and seek approval for the full budget to incur expenditure up to 31st March 2024 as per the budget estimates for 2023-24," concluded CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Budget Estimation [2023-24]

--The Total Revenue Receipts estimated for 2023-24 is Rs.2,38,410 crore, which includes Rs. 1,75,653 crore of Own Tax Revenue including GST compensation, Rs. 12,500 crore is anticipated from Non-Tax Revenue, Devolution of Rs.37,252 crore and Grant in Aid of Rs. 13,005 crore is estimated to receive from the Government of India. These Revenue Receipts are estimated to be supplemented by gross borrowings of Rs.85,818 crore, non-debt capital receipts of Rs.23 crore, and recovery of loans of Rs.228 crore. The total receipts are estimated to be Rs.3,24,478 crore during 2023-24.

--Total Expenditure is estimated to be Rs.3,27,747 crore which includes Revenue Expenditure at Rs. 2,50,933 crore, Capital Expenditure at Rs.54,374 crore, and loan repayment at Rs.22,441 crore.

Announcements related to RTO

--It is proposed to simplify Karnataka Motor Vehicle Tax Act by amending it.

--Simplified software will be introduced for accurate verification of motor vehicle tax transactions. The current tax levied on certain vehicle categories will be revised.

--The revenue collection target for the Transport Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs 11,500 crore.

Announcements related to Stamps and Registrations

--The guidance value of all immovable properties across the State was revised during 2018-19 and came into effect from 01-01-2019.

--Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the guidance value of immovable properties has not been revised to date. As there have been several physical changes in the properties, which have caused many anomalies in the guidance values of all immovable properties. In order to rectify these anomalies, the State Government will revise the guidance values for all immovable properties across the State this year.

--The revenue collection target for the Stamps and Registration Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs. 25,000 crore.

Announcements related to Excise Tax

-- Government proposes to increase the existing rates of Additional Excise Duty on Indian Made Liquor (IML) by 20 percent on all 18 slabs as per Annexure-1. I also propose to increase the Additional Excise Duty on Beer from 175% to 185%. Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our State would be lower when compared to the neighboring States.

-- With this and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs. 36,000 crore.

Announcements related to Commercial Tax

-- Karnataka State has achieved highest growth rate of 21% in GST collection among the big States of the country for the first quarter for the current Financial Year. The KGST revenue collection during the first quarter of the current year is Rs. 18,962 crore.

--For effective tax administration and to provide better access to Trade and Industry, four new Divisions will be made functional soon in Bengaluru and neighbouring districts. Also for large tax payers of Bengaluru, one dedicated division will be established.

-- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technology is being used for data analytics and to augment revenue collection.

--The revenue collection target for the Commercial Tax Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs. 1,01,000 crore.

Siddaramaiah announced that the government will spendRs 4,000 crore annually to implement Shakti Scheme (free bus travel for women).

Govt to increase monthly assistance to Journalists

"Monthly assistance given to journalists facing hardships will be increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. And, the monthly assistance given to the family of deceased journalists will be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000," said CM Siddaramaiah

Marriage registration can soon be done on Cauvery 2.0

"Registration of marriages was being done in the office of the Sub-Register, Simplifying this process and making it people-friendly, the provision will be made in Cauvery 2.0 for online registration and also for the submission of the applications for registration at Bapuji Seva Kendras and Grama One Centres in grama panchayats," said Siddaramaiah

Announcements related to Revenue Department

-- Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act will be amended so that people can convert agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes by way of self-declaration.

--In order to enable SC/ST land grantees to appeal for restoration of land, suitable amendments will be made to the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978 by prescribing timeline in the Act itself.

--District office complexes are being constructed to provide all government services at the district level under one roof. In the current year, ongoing construction works in Dakshina Kannada, Raichuru, Uttara Kannada, Chitradurga, Hassan and Ballari districts will be completed.

-- Ongoing construction works of administrative complexes at 25 talukas will be completed this year.

--The state government will take action to open petrol bunks at 100 places under Udyama Shakti' scheme in collaboration with be maintained public sector petroleum companies. These will through women self-help groups. Petroleum companies will provide capital investment for their construction. The state government will provide land for setting up petrol bunks along with training, license and such other support.

--To mitigate the consequences of climate change such as flood, drought and erosion of river banks, it is proposed to undertake works in the current year at a cost of Rs. 422 crore from State Disaster Mitigation Fund.

--To reduce disaster risks and strengthen fire and emergency services, it is proposed to take up works at a cost of Rs. 721 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) such as flood control in Bengaluru, landslide risk mitigation in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Hassan districts.

-- Action will be taken to mitigate the problems caused by heavy rains, strong winds and floods in the state by the installation of Doppler Weather Radar Surveillance system from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF)

Announcements related to Tourism sector

--Rs. 75 crore will be provided comprehensive development of the tourist destinations in Kalyana Karnataka Region such as Hampi, Mailara, Ganagapura, Sannati, and the forts of Malakheda, Bidar, Raichur, Kalaburgi.

--Comprehensive development of tourist destinations of Kitturu Karnataka Region namely, the Savadatti Yellammana Gudda, Devara Gudda, Kappattha Gudda, Badami Banashankari, Lakkundi and also the Magadi Bird Sanctuary in Gadag District will be undertaken.

--Coastal Beach Tourism Task Force will be formed for the development of coastal tourism in Dakshina Kannada Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts, and a detailed plan will be prepared for the comprehensive development of the coast.

--In order to develop Sasihithlu beach as an international surfing destination, a program will be formulated under Public Private Partnership.

--Yatri Nivas/dormitories will be constructed at different tourist places in the state under the Public Private Partnership model.

-- The campus of Karnataka Exhibition Authority located in the heart of Mysuru will be upgraded on the lines of Pragathi Maidan in Delhi.

-- 16 museums in the state will be developed in a phased manner to make them attractive and interactive. In the current financial year, it is contemplated to develop government museums at Kalaburagi, Gadag and Bengaluru and to transform Ananda Mahal building in Vijayapura as a museum.

--As Mysuru attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists,"Karnataka Archaeological Museum and Art Gallery" will be established on the 2.5-acre department land situated near the Chamundi Vihar stadium in Mysuru to exhibit the rich art and cultural heritage of Karnataka. This will include Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology of international standards.

-- 3D Projection, Multi-media, Sound and Light Show Program will be introduced to promote night tourism and to display the rich art, architecture and cultural heritage of Karnataka at various protected national monuments in the state such as the Vijaya Vittala temple of Hampi, Bidar Fort, Bhoganandeeshwara temple of Nandi Hills, Golgumbaz of Vijayapura, Kittur fort and Badami caves.

Announcements related to Bengaluru

--By leveraging Karnataka's leadership in the electronics sector and with a focus on developing the semiconductor ecosystem in the state, a Technology Innovation Park will be developed in 100 acres of land at Kadugodi in Bengaluru. This will provide services in testing, design, innovation, research and development of semiconductors, besides housing a Technical Research Institute.

--A state-of-the-art Karnataka Aerospace Technology Centre will be established at the Aerospace and Defence Park in Devanahalli, Bengaluru to strengthen the Aerospace sector in the state with a special focus on the MSMEs.

--The state government will develop a Mega Industrial Township at state government-owned BEML land to promote economic activities in the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial corridor.

Announcements related to Industries and Commerce

--A single window portal will be created to submit all applications for the purpose of establishing new enterprise. All permits will be issued on the same portal, in a time-bound manner by the concerned departments. This will help to attract industries and investments.

--Manufacturing and export-oriented industrial clusters will be developed in Vijayapura and Dakshina Kannada districts respectively.
--A new policy will be formulated to promote agro-processing industries.
--Agricultural land up to 2 acres will be exempt from land-use conversion, if it is for the purpose of establishing new industries. The Karnataka Land Revenue Act will be amended suitably for this purpose.

--Common Facility Centers (CFC) will be started in Public Private Partnership model. This will enable MSMEs to use machineries, equipment and common infrastructure.

--We will bring in reforms for the modernization of the public sector undertakings (PSUs). The reforms will also focus on instilling professionalism and encouraging the public sector to compete at the national and international level through innovations in design, products and better marketing.

--In order to promote small scale industries in the state, new industrial estates will be established under the aegis of Karnataka State Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC) in a phased manner at seven places, namely, Hubballi, Chittapura in Kalaburagi, Kodkani in Uttara Kannada, Kanagala in Belagavi, Chamarajnagara, Indi in Vijayapura Badanaguppe and Shahapura in Yadagiri.

Gruha Jyothi Scheme

"Gruha Jyothi scheme provides energy guarantee to every household and citizen of the state. Electricity is an essential and inevitable basic necessity of modern life. But, I am a witness to thousands of families facing hardship because of the unaffordability of electricity. Just as there is Anna Bhagya to ensure food security, we have started Gruha Jyothi to ensure energy security," said CM Siddaramaih.

Under Gruha Jyothi, up to 200 units of free electricity will be provided to every household every month. Under the scheme, every household will be provided free electricity up to a maximum of ten percent over and above their average (annual average) consumption.

"The registration process for Gruha Jyothi has already commenced and the scheme applies to the electricity consumed from July 1st. Whilst the scheme provides free electricity, it is also our endeavor to bring awareness among the people about judicious use of electricity. This scheme is going to benefit more than 2 crore domestic consumers and will be implemented at an estimated annual Rs. 13,910 crore," addedCM Siddaramaiah

Announcements related to Namma Bengaluru Metro Project

-- Namma Metro, with a network of around 70 km and used by around 5.7 lakhs commuters daily, is the second largest metro network in the country. In the current year, the metro lines will be expanded from Baiyyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, Kengeri to Challaghatta, Nagasandra to Madawara, R.V. Road to Bommasandra. The total addition of new lines by the end of 2024 will be 27 km.

--Further, in the next three years, the metro network will be increased from 70 km to 176 km i.e., 2.5 times the present network coverage. The ongoing work of the airport metro line will be expedited and it will be operationalized by 2026.

-- A Detailed Project Report has been submitted to the Central government for approval of Metro Phase-IlI at a cost of Rs. 16,328 crore. This project encompasses a total length of 45 km starting from Kempapura to J.P Nagar 4th phase and from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, including western ORR line.

--In addition, a new proposal to construct a new metro line Of 37 km, from Hebbala to Sarjapura, at an estimated cost of Rs. 15,000 crores, will besubmitted to the government of India for approval.

--The total allocation for this project is 15,767 crore, out of which Rs. 3,242 crore is central share, Rs. 5,087 crore is state share and the loan component (external sources) is Rs. 7,438 crore. The central government has released Rs. 500 crore to date and the state government has released Rs. 660 crore. For the current year, the state government has provided Rs. 1,000 crore.

Announcements related to Bengaluru Development Works

--Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will upgrade 20 Sewage Treatment
Plants by March, 2026 at a cost of Rs. 1,411 crore. BWSSB will execute this project using their own funds. Once completed, this projects will ensure sustainable management of water supply and protection of natural ecosystem in BBMP limits.

--There is no good metro or road connectivity to Sir M. Visveswaraya Terminal constructed by the South Western Railways near Baiyyappanahalli in Bengaluru. This has caused inconvenience to lakhs of commuters and led to severe traffic congestion in the area. To address this problem, a new flyover will be constructed at the cost of Rs.263 crore.

--White-topped roads will be restarted in the year 2023-24. 100 kms of major roads will be developed as white-topped roads at a cost of Rs.800 crore. This will prevent the need for repeated repair of roads.

-- In 2016, 12 major roads of Bengaluru with a total length of 192 km having very high traffic congestion were designated as High-Density Corridors. Out of this, 92 km roads have already been developed and upgraded to ensure smooth flow of traffic. In 2023-24, 83 km length of such roads will be developed at a cost of Rs. 273 crore.

--Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road which was designed to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru city is lying on the backburner since the last 15 years. The technical issues of the Peripheral Ring Road have been cleared as Supreme Court has given consent on 25.11.2021. Now our government will resolve all legal hurdles and make sincere efforts to implement the project expeditiously.

"Brand Bengaluru" theme is centered on safety and convenience of the residents of Bengaluru city. The Brand Bengaluru theme is focused on addressing the nine major challenges facing the city namely, traffic management, environment, solid waste management, proper utilization of public places, public health, animal health, people friendly e-Governance, water security and flood management. By addressing these challenges in a planned and scientific manner we will elevate Bengaluru to international standards," said CM Siddaramaiah.

"The government will make efforts to augment the state economy to a 1 trillion-dollar economy by boosting the state's GSDP from 13% to 17%. Initiatives will be taken to expand the scope of Agriculture, Industry and the Service sectors, provide infrastructure support, delegation of powers, administrative decentralization etc.," CM Siddaramaiah said

Rural Development Schemes

--Under the NREGA scheme, 5,000 pasture lands and 50,000 acres of grasslands will be developed and 2 lakh drought relief works, 81,000 flood control works and 4,268 land slide mitigation works and works to develop burial grounds in 27,903 villages as Shantidhamas will be taken up,

--Under Integrated School Development Programme, 5,000 schoolpremises will be upgraded to Vidhyamas.

-- 750 rural markets and 27,000 borewell recharge works will be implemented

Government to offer insurance facility to Gig Workers in Karnataka

"In order to provide social security to the Gig Workers in the unorganized sector, ie., employed as full-time/part-time delivery personnel in e-commerce companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, etc., insurance facility of a total Rs.4 lakh will be provided which includes, life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh and accidental insurance of Rs. 2 lahks. The entire insurance premium will be borne by the government," CM Siddaramaiah said.

Annabhagya Scheme to benefit 4.42 crore BPL beneficiaries

CM has said that the government will spend Rs 10,000 annually to implement the Annabhagya sheme which will benefit more than 4.42 crore beneficiaries.

Welfare Schemes for Minority Communities

-- Rs 50 crore will be provided to protect and develop 40,000 Wakf properties in the state

--Interest-free loans will be provided to the tune of Rs. 20 lakh to minority students to pursue graduate and postgraduate courses in prestigious foreign universities with a global ranking of under 250.

-- To promote self-employment opportunities, for the loan amount availed from the banks, a subsidy up to 20% of the loan amount upto a maximum of Rs.1 lakh will be provided to 10,000 unemployed youth belonging to minority communities.

--A new scheme 'Swawalambi Sarathi will be introduced to encourage self-employment of the unemployed youth belonging to Minority communities. Under this, a subsidy of 50% up to a maximum of Rs. 3 lakh will be provided towards purchase of four wheeler vehicles.

--Rs 54 crore alloted for the construction of all the 126 incomplete Shadimahals and Community halls

Minority Welfare Schemes

New Welfare Schemes for Minority Communities
-- A loan of Rs. 1 lakh per annum at a subsidized interest rate of 2% will be provided to minority students under the 'Arivu' - educational loan scheme. The eligible beneficiaries will be students who get admission through CET to 28 professional courses such as Engineering, Medical, etc. During the financial year, Rs. 75 crore will be reserved for this scheme.

--Language labs will be established at a cost of Rs. 5 crore in all the Minority Morarji Desai Residential Schools to improve Kannada and English language skills of students belonging to minority communities.

--Skill development training of minority youths will be started in the districts of Ramanagar, Belagavi, Davangere, Kalaburagi and Dakshina Kannada at a cost of Rs. 4 crore.

--A grant of Rs. 8 Crores will be provided to impart training through prestigious institutions for two years for the students studying in minority pre-university residential colleges in order to prepare them for NET, JEE, CET and other entrance examinations.

--A ten month residential coaching program for IAS/KAS and other competitive exams will be offered to the minority aspirants in Haj Bhavan, Bengaluru, in collaboration with reputed coaching institutions.

New Welfare Schemes for SC/ST

-- Under a new scheme called 'Swawalambi Sarathi', unemployed youth belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be encouraged to take up self-employment activities. A subsidy of 75% of the loan amount up to a maximum of Rs.4 lakh will be provided towards the purchase of four-wheeler vehicles.

-- A government guarantee is provided to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs for availing a loan upto Rs. 2 crore from the Karnataka State Finance Corporation. This scheme will now be extended for loans availed from nationalised bank as well.

-- A Corpus Fund of Rs. 2 crore will be provided to award Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Fellowship to students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who are pursuing Ph.D. at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).

-- To assist unemployed youth belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a loan subsidy up to 20%, not exceeding Rs. 1 lakh will be provided for the loans availed from commercial banks for taking up income-generating activities.

New Schemes for Backward Classes

"A new scheme Swawalambi Sarathi will be introduced to encourage self-employment of the unemployed youth belonging to Backward Classes. Under this, a subsidy of 50% up to a maximum of Rs. 3 lakh will be provided towards purchase of four wheeler vehicles.," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"An interest subsidy of 6% will be provided to entrepreneurs belonging to Other Backward Classes Category-I and I(a) for loans availed upto Rs. 10 crore from Karnataka State Finance Corporation. This will help them to utilize ample opportunities available for starting new enterprises in the service sector," CM added.

Gruha Lakshmi scheme to cost Rs 30,000 crore annually on exchequer

"Gruha Lakshmi scheme will play a prominent role in easing the daily financial pressures and ensuring the economic empowerment of women, " CM Siddaramaiah said.

"The registration process under the scheme will start soon and Rs. 2,000 will be directly transferred to their accounts every month. Rs. 30,000 crore is estimated as the approximate annual expenditure under the scheme. It is undoubtedly, the largest financial security scheme that has been launched in the country," CM noted.

CM Siddaramaiah announces that the government will set upthe nation's first-ever dedicated to public hospital organ transplant at NIMHANS, Bengaluruat the cost of Rs. 146 crore, an amount of Rs.30 Crore provided in the current year.

Additionally, a Fibro scan will be provided for the detection of cirrhosis and cancer in patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

--Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences will establish a new medical college in Kanakapura taluka of Ramanagara district.

--A total of Rs.155 crore will be provided to operationalize super specialty hospitals and burns care centers in Mysuru, Kalaburgi and Belagavi districts.

--A new 200-bedded Mother and Child Hospital will be established in Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Kalaburgi at the cost of Rs.70 crore.

--Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences will start state-of-the-art skill labs, research centers and indoor sports facilities in Belagavi, Kalaburgi, Hubballi, Davanagere, Dakshina Kannada and Mysuru districts and will also establish colleges of Allied Health Sciences in Kalaburgi and Mysuru districts.

"In memory of Karnataka Ratna, Dr. Puneet Raikumar, Automated External Defibrillators (AED) will be installed in all district hospitals and taluka hospitals to aid in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. For this purpose, Rs. 6 crore will be provided," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"And, 15 CT and 6 MRI scanning centers have been established under Public Private Partnership model in few district hospitals where free scanning services are being provided. These services will now be extended to all the district hospitals in the state," CM noted.

Govt to start 'Kalika Balavardhane' programme for children

Government to allot Rs 80 crore fund for 'Kalika Balavardhane' programme. It will address learning deficiencies in children and around 33 lakh children are expected to benefit from this initiative.

And, it proposes to launch 'Marusinchana' programme. It will benefit 1.5 lakh students with learning deficiencies to prepare for secondary-level examinations through special training.

"The detailed project report and environmental clearance proposal connection with Mekedatu balancing reservoir and drinking water project planned under Cauvery watershed area has already been submitted to the Central Government. Necessary action will be taken to obtain clearance at the earliest.," CM Siddaramaiah said

"Land for compensatory afforestation has been identified and priority will be given to initiate land acquisition process," CM added.

Government to take action to complete the pending works under the Yethinahole project in an expeditious manner and supply drinking water to Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural and Tumakuru

Government withdraws APMC Act amendment by BJP govt

Pro Farmer measures:

1) Short term interest free loan up to Rs. 3 lakh will now be increased to Rs.5 lakh. Similarly, medium and long term loan at 3% interest up to Rs.10 lakh will now be increased to Rs.15 lakh. Through this revised scheme, approximately, Rs. 25,000 crore worth loans will be disbursed to more than 35 lakh farmers.

2) Government will provide interest subsidy up to 7% on bank loans up to Rs. 20 lakh to farmers for construction of godowns to store produce of farmers and their neighbors.

3 )Loan up to Rs. 7 lakh at the rate of 4% Interest will be provided to purchase four wheeled vehicles (pick up van) for transporing-agricultural produce and equipment for farmers for agricultural activities in hilly tracts of Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada and Udupi Districts.

4) Mini cold storages will be established in collaboration with KAPPEC in 50 selected vegetable markets of the State to prevent distress sale of perishable commodities like fruits, flowers and vegetables and help farmers secure a fair price for the produce.

"Our government expects the Agricultural Produce Market Committees to work in the best interest of the farmers and ensure a fair price for their produce. Our government in its earlier tenure took several measures to strengthen the APMCs and introduced online market system, the first-of-its-kind in the country.," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"However, by amending the APMC Act, the previous government weakened the healthy marketing network and created uncertainty in lives of lakhs of farmers who depended on APMCs for their livelihoods. Before the amendment to the APMC Act, the total income of 167 APMCs of the State in 2018-19 was between Rs. 570 crore to Rs. 600 crore, which has drastic D crore to Rs. 193 crores in 2022-23 after the ACT was amened. Besides, there are many instances before us of private companies deceiving and exploiting farmers in the open market. Our government has decided to withdraw the anti-farmer ACt to in order to protect the interest of farmers," CM Siddaramaiah said.

For the economic self-reliance of fisherwomen and to assist them in the expansion of business, interest-free loans provided by banks will be increased from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh.

The government will offer subsidized diesel provided to fishermen's boats will be increased from 1.5 lakh kilo litres to 2 lakh kilo litres.

This will amount to financial assistance of Rs.250 crore in 2023-24.

For the benefit of Silkworm farmers of Chikkaballapura and the Kolar, the government approves 75 crore to set up of a high-tech silk cocoonmarketin Sidlaghatta.

The Total Revenue Receipts estimated for 2023-24 is Rs.2,38,410 crore, which includes Rs. 1,75,653 crore of Own Tax Revenue
including GST compensation, Rs. 12,500 crore is anticipated from Non-Tax Revenue Devolution of Rs.37,252 crore and a Grant in Aid of Rs. 13,005 crore is estimated to receive from the Government of India.

These Revenue Receipts are estimated to be supplemented by gross borrowings of Rs.85,818 crore, non-debt capital receipts of Rs.23 crore, and recovery of loans of Rs.228 crore.

Annual expenditure of Rs 4000 crore estimated for Shakti scheme under which women get free travel in government buses.

Government to increase guidance value on immovable properties

The government has proposed to increase the guidance value on property registrations across the state. The revenue collection for the Stamps and RegistrationsDepartment has been set to Rs 25,000 crore for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Liquor prices to increase significantly

Government proposes to increase the existing rates of Additional Excise Duty on Indian Made Liquor
(IML) by 20 percent on all 18 slabs as per Annexure-1. Italso proposes to increase the Additional Excise Duty on Beer from 175% to 185%.

With this and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year
2023-24 is fixed at Rs. 36,000 crore.

Total Expenditure is estimated to be Rs.3,27,747

Total Expenditure is estimated to be Rs.3,27,747 crore which includes Revenue Expenditure at Rs.2,50,933 crore, Capital Expenditure at aRs.54,374 crore, and loan repayment at Rs.22,441 crore.

"Over the years since the 2016's note ban and the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, the country and the state have suffered a lot. There has been an unevenincrease cost of living too. To improve the lives ofKannadigapeople, we had promised to deliver five guarantees including free bus travel for women, 10kg rice for BPL, free 200 units of electricity, monthly stipend to unemployed youths and women head, during the elections. As promised, we are committed to delivering them. Some people and opposition have labeled our promises as freebies and burden the exchequer. But, we believe this is a welfare scheme to ensure our people live a dignified life," said CM Siddaramaiah.

"Seven crore citizens of Karnataka have given us afull mandate and we will endeavor to deliver social justice and meet the aspirations of the people and farmers of the state," said CM Siddaramaiah, as he begins the Budget 2023-24 budget.

CM Siddaramaiah begins the Budget 2023-24 Speech

"Our CM Siddaramaiah has deep insights on the state's fiscal health and I am sure, he will deliver a progressive budget that meets the aspirations of the citizens and also ensure all the five poll guarantees are implemented without any impediments," saidH. C. Mahadevappa, Minister of Public Works Department, Ports and Inland Transport.

We will deliver promises and ensure all benefits reach down trodden and middle class citizens: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy

Government is committed to implement all five guarantees: Dy CM DK Shivakumar

Besides implementing all five poll guarantees, we are ready to take suggestions from the opposition to deliver welfare schemes to the citizens of the Karnataka state, said Dy CM DK Shivakumar.

Govt will try to meet all the needs of the citizens: M B Patil on Budget 2023-24

While speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, M B Patil,Minister of Infrastructure Development of Karnataka said "Karnataka citizens have given usfull majority to run a stable government. In this budget, we will try to ensure all five guarantees are implemented without any impediments."

Budget will ensure all five govt's guarantees and other welfare schemes reach citizens: Agri min N. Chaluvaraya Swamy

While heading to the Vidhana Soudha,AgricultureMinister N. Chaluvaraya Swamy exuded confidence that the Siddaramaiah-led government will deliver all the promises.

'CM Siddaramaiah has delivered 13 budgets and everyone knows he has good knowledge of the state's fiscal health. We (Agriculture Department)have submitted our proposal for new welfare schemes for farmers in the budget. I am sure, CMwill manage to accommodate it," addedChaluvaraya Swamy.

Siddaramaiah government to make budgetary provisions for five guarantee schemes

The Siddaramaiah government will make budgetary provisions for its five guarantee schemes, namely Gruha Jyoti (offering up to 200 units free electricity for residential purposes), Gruha Lakshmi (promising Rs 2,000 to women heads of BPL/APL ration card holders), Anna Bhagya (Promising 10 kg rice to each member of BPL ration card holders), Yuva Nidhi (offering Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders who passed this academic year, for 24 months) and ‘Shakti’ offering free bus rides to Karnataka women across Karnataka in non-luxury government buses.

The state, with a budget of over Rs 3.35 lakh crore, will spend over Rs 60,000 crore on these five guarantees, according to an estimate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Pandemonium is expected when the Congress presents the bill repealing the anti-conversion and anti-cow slaughter laws as the BJP is likely to protest it vehemently. The exercise to ‘de-saffronise’ textbooks may also invite the BJP’s ire during the session.

According to some Congress insiders, the government will also introduce a bill scrapping the anti-cow slaughter law called Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020. The government may also introduce a bill repealing the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, besides another amendment pertaining to the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The Karnataka government is likely to table a bill scrapping the anti-conversion law called Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, which was promulgated by the previous BJP government.

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Karnataka: Stormy Budget session awaits Congress over poll guarantees, likely bills on cow slaughter, conversion

A stormy legislature session starting Monday awaits the ruling Congress in Karnataka, as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to attack the ruling party over implementation of its poll guarantees one-and-a-half months after it came to power with a thumping majority.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who holds finance portfolio, gets ready to present his budget on July 7, the BJP is prepared to attack the Congress for its "failure" to implement the five guarantees that were supposed to come into effect from the day the government came to power.

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When Siddaramaiah presented his first Budget in 1994-95

Siddaramaiah’s first Budget was in 1994-95 under the HD Deve Gowda government. By his own admission, he didn’t know much about finance back then. It was Gowda who pushed him to become the finance minister.

As a novice, his nervousness did not go unnoticed by the media. “At that time, Lankesh Patrike carried an article wondering how someone who couldn’t count sheep would present the state’s budget,” Siddaramaiah recalled at an event recently.

With rigorous reading and interaction with experts, he was able to gain knowledge in the domain and soon after the budget presentation, an English national daily lauded the “pragmatism” in his budget, he narrated.

Siddaramaiah has over the years taken pride in his attention to detail and fiscal prudence. On many an occasion, he underlined how he has always managed to present a revenue-surplus budget.

Siddaramaiah faces 'Guarantee' task

The Budget this year poses a unique challenge to Siddaramaiah in mobilising resources for the implementation of the Congress’ five guarantees while making space for other development works.

It remains to be seen if Siddaramaiah takes some tough decisions such as levying additional excise duty on liquor and increasing the state’s borrowings.

“A state budget, unlike the Centre, has limitations as the taxes that can be levied are limited under the GST regime. The debt burden of the state has gone up and increasing revenue is a huge challenge,” a senior Congress leader told DH. “Siddaramaiah will also have to give a deep thought on how he will negotiate unemployment and price rise, which are not the state’s creations.”

Siddaramaiah’s budget will subsume the one BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai presented in February. The size of Siddaramaiah’s budget is expected to touch Rs 3.35 lakh crore, up from Bommai’s Rs 3.09 lakh crore.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to present his 14th Budget

All eyes are on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as he will present his record 14th Budgeton Friday. The Budgetassumes significance as the CM has to make provisions for the five guarantees, which his Congress party had announced before the Assembly elections.

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