Karnataka Siddaramaiah Unveils 15th Budget in Karnataka Amidst High Expectations

Regarding the state’s financial plan for the next fiscal year, all eyes are on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as he gets ready to present his fifteenth consecutive budget. Seen as a record milestone in his political career, Siddaramaiah’s 15th budget holds the dual positions of finance portfolio and chief minister. His record in his political career is noteworthy, as this is his eighth budget presentation while serving as Chief Minister.

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.

A student named Yashwant BR brought attention to the urgent needs in the agricultural and educational sectors by calling for better transportation options for rural students and more assistance for farmers affected by the drought. “It is expected that more grants will be released to farmers in the state who are facing drought, and more buses will be arranged for students traveling from villages to schools,” he stated. In a similar vein, advocate Surya argued in favor of the poor’s welfare, stressing the significance of policies that empower the impoverished and improve legal professionals’ safety.

“We have high expectations from the Chief Minister. I hope that this time the budget will give more benefits to the poor. I request that the Chief Minister bring a law that will take more measures to curb the violence against the advocates,” he said.
Mohan, an auto driver, expressed concerns over the impact of bike taxis on livelihoods and the accessibility of free bus travel for girls, highlighting the need for equitable transportation policies.

He said, “Bike taxis should be banned in Bangalore, girls are allowed to travel in buses for free, this is causing problems for auto drivers and private company vehicles; poor girls should be allowed to travel for free if they want; but giving free to all girls is making it difficult for us to live.”.

Addressing concerns about the dominance of private institutions, Prakash underlined the importance of investing in public education infrastructure to ensure that quality education is accessible to everyone. “Every parent is sending their child to an international school; improving our public school will help everyone,” he declared. In order to improve worker welfare, government employee Santhosh pushed for the Seventh Pay Commission to be implemented, bringing Karnataka’s pay scale into line with other states.

He stated, “Eighth and ninth pay are already in effect in other states, I hope seventh pay will be implemented in our state.”.
The 2023-24 Karnataka Budget witnessed substantial growth, with the budget size increasing from Rs 265,720 crore to Rs 327,747 crore, demonstrating a significant 23 per cent surge.
This expansion encompassed both revenue and capital expenditures, reflecting the government’s commitment to holistic development across various sectors.