'Priests' salaries, movie prices, Brand Bengaluru': Highlights from Karnataka Budget
What's the story
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tabled his 16th state budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Friday.
The budget has a total allocation of ₹4.095 lakh crore. Out of this, a major chunk of ₹51,034 crore has been allocated for five guarantee schemes promised by the Congress government in Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah called the budget a roadmap for the seven-crore people of Karnataka and intends to benefit all sections of society through government schemes.
Financial allocations
Capital investment and liquor prices
With ₹82,000 crore allocated for capital investment, the Karnataka Budget makes the state one of the top ones in this aspect.
Further, the government plans to review and increase liquor prices to match those in neighboring states.
The budget also provides for 4% reservation for Muslims in government tenders and contracts, showing the government's commitment toward inclusivity in state policies.
Social initiatives
Community development and priest salaries
The Karnataka Budget has allocated ₹100 crore in grants for the all-round development of Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities. Another ₹250 crore will be given for the development of the Christian community.
A Sannati Development Authority will be set up in Chittapura taluka's ancient Buddhist center.
The annual salary of temple priests was hiked from ₹60,000 to ₹72,000 while honoraria for Jain priests, Chief Grantis of Sikhs and Pesh-Imams were enhanced to ₹6,000 per month.
Community support
Support for Haj pilgrims and media professionals
The budget also includes provisions for constructing another building in Haj Bhavan, Bengaluru to offer better facilities and amenities to Haj pilgrims and their relatives.
Monthly pensions for journalists facing hardships will be increased from ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 while family pensions will rise from ₹6,000 to ₹7,500.
The Karnataka Budget allocated ₹94,084 crore for women-centric programs and ₹62,033 crore for children-centric initiatives.
Social welfare
Women's empowerment, children's welfare in focus
Furthermore, the National Foreign Student Scholarship amount given to minority students will be increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
Minority youth will be encouraged to launch new start-ups through the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation with ₹150 crore budgeted for repairing and renovating Waqf properties, providing infrastructure, and protecting Muslim burial grounds.
Entertainment
Movie ticket price cap and new OTT platform
CM Siddaramaiah announced that multiplexes across Karnataka will now have a maximum ticket price cap of ₹200.
The budget document stated, "The cost of the ticket of each show in all theaters of the state including multiplexes will be capped at ₹200."
Further, plans to launch an own OTT platform to promote Kannada language programs were also announced.
Urban development
Bengaluru's budget allocation and infrastructure development
The budget allocation for Bengaluru has been hiked to ₹7,000 crore with ₹1,800 crore set aside for 21 projects under 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative.
A 'Comprehensive Health Program' will be rolled out over next three years at ₹413 crore with an aim of making Bengaluru a global health standard city.
Infrastructure development includes building a 40.5km double-decker flyover at ₹8,916 crore along with Namma Metro Phase-3 Project to ease vehicular congestion.