Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Friday presented the state budget for 2026-27 focusing on several development projects and new initiatives aimed at the overall growth of the state.
During his budget speech, the Chief Minister announced that the Rohith Vemula Act would be enacted to prevent caste-based atrocities against students in all government, private and deemed universities. The law is named after Rohith Vemula.
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Siddaramaiah announced the construction of a 450-bed multi-specialty hospital in Karwar at a cost ₹198 million. In addition, a trauma care center will be set up in Raichur for ₹10 crore while peripheral cancer centers will be set up in Mysuru and Tumakuru for ₹92 million.
The state government has already issued ₹1,593 crore for the development of seven domestic airports in Karnataka, p ₹200 million crowns are allocated for this year.
In a major infrastructure push for Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah announced that the Outer Ring Road stretch from Silk Board Junction to KR Puram Metro Station will be developed into a global standard corridor at an estimated cost ₹450 million crowns.
He also announced that Student Union elections will be held in colleges and universities across the state. Talking about the Namma Metro project, the Chief Minister said that the total expenditure ₹67,460 million crowns have been spent so far. The state government contributed to this ₹59,376 crore (88 per cent) with the Centre’s share being at par ₹8,084 crore (12 percent).
Karnataka to ban use of social media by persons below 16, says Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: The state has become the first in India to do so.
“To prevent the adverse effects of the increasing use of mobile devices on children, the use of social media will be banned for children below the age of 16,” the CM said in a speech.
Here are the key moments from Siddaramaiah’s budget speech:
Health and infra
-Construction of 450 bedded multi-specialty hospital in Karwar at cost ₹198 million. Raichur Trauma Care Center at cost ₹10 million crowns. Peripheral Cancer Centers will be set up in Mysuru and Tumakuru at a cost ₹92 million.
– Bengaluru’s second airport to relieve Kempegowda International Airport, the third busiest airport in India. A feasibility report will be prepared after receiving technical advice from the Airports Authority of India.
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– ₹1,593 crore for the development of seven domestic airports in Karnataka, while ₹200 million crowns are allocated for this year.
-Aircraft manufacturing and assembly activities will be conducted under PPP mode at Shivamogga airport.
Projects for Bengaluru
– The stretch of Outer Ring Road from Silk Board Junction to KR Pura Metro Station will be developed into a global standard corridor at an estimated cost ₹450 million crowns.
– Covering 158 km of roads with white paint for a price ₹1,700 million crowns.
GST rationalization, jobs and social issues
Overall, GST collection is expected to decrease by approx ₹10,000 crore in the current financial year and to ₹15,000 crore next year.
The process of filling 56,432 posts in various government departments has been started this year, says the CM
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– All Gram Panchayats in Karnataka to be renamed as “Mahatma Gandhi Gram Panchayats”
– Rohith Vemula Act to be passed to prevent caste atrocities against students in all government, private and deemed universities
Social measures and tourism
– Hostels for working women for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities will be established in Mysuru, Bengaluru and Belagavi.
-Digital library and study center will be set up in Dharwad and Bengaluru at cost ₹10 lakhs for students preparing for competitive exams.
-25 acres of land will be provided for setting up a private Vachana University at Basavakalyana.
-Hajj Bhavans will be constructed at Hubballi and Kalaburagi for Hajj pilgrims.
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– Waqf properties located in high demand commercial areas will be developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model
-Environmentally friendly accommodation, pedestrian corridors, tourist information centers and other infrastructure will be built in Tadadi under the PPP model.
