Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: BJP criticises govt, saying it presented a 'Halal Budget'

Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka's 2025-26 budget is expected to reach ₹4 lakh crore, up from ₹3.71 lakh crore this fiscal. Sources, according to PTI, suggest the CM may increase borrowings to fund development.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah presents the state Budget 2025-26, in Bengaluru on March 7, 2025. (PTI)

Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who also serves as the state’s finance minister, began to present the 2025-26 Budget today after the session began on March 3. This marks his 16th budget, setting a record....Read More

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• 7 Mar 2025, 03:31:24 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Minister HK Patil reacts

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: "This is the 16th budget of CM Siddaramaiah. It is a record figure. He has done a very balanced exercise. Valuated at ₹4.09 lakh crores, this budget gives hope that the next one will cross ₹5 lakh crores... The budget has taken care of whole of the society and ensure justice to all..." Karnataka Minister HK Patil tells ANI.

• 7 Mar 2025, 02:20:33 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State's anti-naxal force to be disbanded, announces CM

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka's Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) will be disbanded as the state has become 'free' of the outlawed members, state chief minister Siddaramaiah has announced, reported PTI.

  He made the announcement while presenting the state budget for FY 2025-26. He also announced strengthening of the Cyber Crime Division.

• 7 Mar 2025, 01:41:07 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: BJP criticises Cong-led govt, saying it presented a 'Halal Budget'

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The BJP has criticised the Congress-led government, calling today's budget a "Halal Budget" and accusing it of favouring scams that benefit minorities while neglecting SC, ST, and OBC communities.

• 7 Mar 2025, 01:27:48 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: BJP, JD(S) protest at Vidhana Soudha over money allocated for SCSP-TSP

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The BJP and JDS held a joint protest at the Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, demanding that funds allocated for SCSP-TSP not be diverted for guarantees and that ₹150 crore be allocated to each MLA’s constituency.

• 7 Mar 2025, 12:23:50 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: New industrial policy 2025-30 aims for Rs. 7.5 lakh crore investment and 20 lakh jobs

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The state government has unveiled the New Industrial Policy 2025-30, designed to foster a favourable environment for industries in Karnataka. The policy aims to attract an investment of Rs. 7.5 lakh crore and create 20 lakh new jobs. Priority will be given to promoting industries and generating employment. To streamline industrialists' compliance, the government plans to introduce the Karnataka Employer’s Compliance Decriminalisation Bill and the Karnataka Employer’s Compliance Digitisation Bill. These bills will decriminalise violations by employers and digitalize compliance with employment regulations, making Karnataka the first state in the country to implement such a system.

• 7 Mar 2025, 12:11:21 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka targets 60 GW power capacity, announces key projects for expansion

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: To meet the rising electricity demand in Karnataka, the state has set a target to increase its installed capacity from 32 GW to 60 GW. In line with this goal, the installed capacity was raised from 31.83 GW to 34.99 GW in 2022-23. The state also plans to operationalize the Godhna Thermal Power Plant, which will have an 800 MW capacity and a project cost of Rs. 13,000 crore, through the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding model, a project that has been pending since 2008. Additionally, the Sharavathi Pumped-Storage Power Plant Project, with a 2,000 MW capacity and an estimated cost of Rs. 10,240 crore, is awaiting approval from the MoEF, and the tender process has already begun. To support renewable energy, a 1,000 MWh battery Power Storage facility, costing Rs. 1,846 crore, will be developed by KPTCL through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at seven substations.

• 7 Mar 2025, 12:07:07 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ‘Akka Café and Canteen’ to be established

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The Karnataka government has launched women empowerment initiatives in collaboration with gram panchayat self-help groups. As part of this, ‘Akka Café and Canteen’ will be set up in district and taluka panchayat office premises to generate employment for women. Additionally, Integrated Agricultural Clusters will be developed in every taluka to support women farmers. To enhance nutrition supply, self-help groups will be encouraged to provide eggs and vegetables to schools, anganwadis, and hostels. Furthermore, a Community Tourism Scheme will be implemented in each district, promoting local tourism and entrepreneurship among women.

• 7 Mar 2025, 12:01:48 PM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Agriculture Research Station will be established at Muddebihal taluk of Vijayapura district

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The government will set up an Organic and Millet Hub with an investment of ₹20 crore to promote organic and millet farming, address supply-demand gaps, and provide better market access for farmers.

  Additionally, an Agriculture Research Station will be established in Muddebihal taluk, Vijayapura district, while a feasibility study will be conducted for setting up an Agriculture College in Athani taluk, Belagavi district.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:43:43 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Budget presentation delayed by 45 minutes due to ‘Rahukala’

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, presenting his 16th state budget today, made a last-minute change to the schedule. Initially set for 11:00 AM, the budget speech was advanced to 10:15 AM to avoid ‘Rahukala,’ an inauspicious period starting at 10:30 AM, according to astrologers. The decision, reported by Prajavani, was taken just before the presentation at Vidhana Soudha

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:41:13 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Bangalore City University renamed as ‘Dr Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University’

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Bangalore City University will be renamed Dr Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, says chief minister Siddaramaiah during budget speech.

  To develop it into a model institution, Government Arts College and Government R.C. College will be merged as its constituent colleges.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:39:42 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Govt to build 15 women's colleges on Waqf land, add 16 more next year

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Siddaramaiah announced that 15 women's colleges will be built on vacant Waqf land in 2024-25 to enhance higher education opportunities for minority women. Additionally, 16 more women's colleges will be established in 2025-26.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:29:59 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ₹5 crore allocated to strengthen the fight against cybercrime

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates Karnataka, in its 2025-26 budget, has allocated ₹5 crore to enhance its fight against cybercrime and strengthen the division.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:20:15 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ₹50,000 support for minorities opting for simple marriages

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced a financial assistance scheme offering ₹50,000 to minority families opting for simple, low-cost weddings over lavish celebrations.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:18:24 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Food allowance for police on bandobast duty hiked to ₹300

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: During his budget speech, CM Siddaramaiah announced an increase in food allowance for police personnel on bandobast duty from ₹200 to ₹300.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:17:04 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Digital agricultural service centres to be set up to aid farmers

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka will establish digital agricultural service centres to help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions on crops and enhance productivity.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:15:40 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: 4,000 govt schools to introduce bilingual sections for enhanced language fluency

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced that 4,000 government schools will introduce bilingual sections to enhance students' fluency in English and their mother tongue.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:12:51 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM announces major infrastructure projects to tackle Bengaluru’s traffic problem

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah has announced major infrastructure projects to address Bengaluru's traffic congestion,

  -North-South Tunnel (18.5 km): A ₹15,000 crore project to build a tunnel between Hebbal Esteem Mall and Silk Board Junction to ease traffic flow.

  -East-West Tunnel (28.5 km): A ₹28,000 crore initiative to construct a tunnel from KR Puram to Nayandanahalli, improving citywide connectivity.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:07:41 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ‘Knowledge Bank’ to be established at IISc Bengaluru

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced the creation of a ‘Knowledge Bank’ at IISc Bengaluru to support farmers with information on production techniques, crop health, market trends, and agricultural best practices.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:06:36 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Govt allots ₹233 crore per constituency to implement guarantees

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced that ₹233 crore has been allocated to each assembly constituency in Karnataka for the implementation of guarantee schemes.

• 7 Mar 2025, 11:02:12 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ₹1,800 crore sanctioned for 21 'Brand Bengaluru' projects

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced key allocations in the budget,

  - ₹1,800 crore for 21 projects under the 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative.

  - ₹3,000 crore for climate resilience, focusing on tackling weather challenges and upgrading drainage and sewage treatment infrastructure.

  - ₹555 crore for Cauvery Water Supply Phase 5, aimed at providing drinking water to 110 villages.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:58:19 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ₹100 cr allocated for Jain, Buddhist, Sikh development; ₹250 cr for Christian community

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The Karnataka government has allocated ₹100 crore for the comprehensive development of Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities, while ₹250 crore has been earmarked for the development of the Christian community.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:56:26 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State govt increases honorarium for Jain priests, Sikh Granthis, and mosque Imams

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: In the 2025-26 budget, CM Siddaramaiah announced an increase in honorarium for Jain priests, Chief Granthis of Sikhs, and Pesh-Imams of mosques to ₹6,000 per month. The honorarium for Assistant Granthis and Muezzins will be raised to ₹5,000 per month.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:54:23 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State govt to launch own OTT platform

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: In the assembly, CM Siddaramaiah announced plans to launch a state-owned OTT platform to promote and develop Kannada language programs.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:52:55 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Additional Haj Bhavan to be constructed

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced in the assembly that an additional building will be constructed at Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru to enhance facilities and amenities for Haj pilgrims and their relatives.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:49:35 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Bengaluru Metro to extend network to Kempegowda International Airport

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced that Bengaluru Metro will expand to Devanahalli, near Kempegowda International Airport, with the network set to grow to 98.60 km over the next two years, improving connectivity.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:47:12 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Multiplexes across the state can now charge a maximum ticket price of ₹200

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: During his budget speech, CM Siddaramaiah announced that multiplexes across Karnataka will now have a maximum ticket price cap of ₹200.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:44:49 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM announces ₹1,000 cr minority colony development programme

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: While presenting the state budget in Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka CM and Finance Minister Siddaramaiah announced that an Action Plan of ₹1,000 crore has been prepared under the 'Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme'. The initiative will be implemented in FY 2025-26.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:41:40 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Siddaramaiah defends guarantee schemes

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: The chief minister firmly defended the state’s flagship guarantee schemes, saying that they are not "freebies" but crucial measures aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring social justice.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:40:33 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State to launch 250 Moulana Azad Model Schools, ₹500 crore plan unveiled

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: During his 2025-26 budget speech, CM Siddaramaiah announced that 250 Moulana Azad Model English Medium Schools will be established in phases, following the Karnataka Public Schools model.

  A ₹500 crore programme will be formulated for this initiative, with ₹100 crore allocated for the current year. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the School Education Department.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:37:38 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State GDP records 7.8% growth, says CM Siddaramaiah in speech

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah announced that Karnataka's state GDP has grown by 7.8%, while the agriculture sector recorded a 4% growth, exceeding the national average during his budget speech on Friday.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:35:15 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: LoP R Ashoka claims 'it's his last Budget' on Siddaramaiah's speech

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is presenting the state budget in the Legislative Assembly.

  Earlier, he arrived at Vidhan Soudha with the Budget document, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues.

  Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka claimed that this would be Siddaramaiah’s last budget, calling him the outgoing chief minister.

  “He is an outgoing CM. In the past two years, they have done nothing. Hospitals lack medicines, and prices of essentials like petrol, diesel, and milk have risen. At least in this budget, they should announce measures for development—that is our demand,” Ashoka said.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:26:09 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ‘All the guarantees have been implemented,’ says minister Sudhakar

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar said that as the Opposition, the BJP is trying to make its presence felt. He asserted that the people of the state are aware that all guarantee schemes have been implemented. He also stated that the allocated funds for his department have been utilized as planned. Dismissing BJP’s stance, he added that the party is free to protest in any way it wants.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:24:29 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah begins speech with quotes from Kuvempu, Adiga

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah began his budget speech on Friday in the assembly by quoting Kuvempu, Gopal Krishna Adiga, and other literary figures.

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:21:18 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: ‘We are there to protect the people of Karnataka,’ says dy CM DK Shivakumar

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Ahead of the state budget, Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar criticised the BJP, stating that the party should explain what it has done for Karnataka. He accused the BJP of lacking the courage, voice, and moral right to protect the state, adding that the central budget did not allocate anything for Karnataka.

  Shivakumar asserted that the Congress government is committed to safeguarding the state's interests and fulfilling its promises, unlike the BJP’s tenure. He dismissed BJP's criticism, saying, "Let them do whatever they want."

• 7 Mar 2025, 10:10:37 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: State govt unlikely to scale down social spending despite financial constraints

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Despite financial constraints, the state government is unlikely to reduce spending on its five guarantee schemes, which received ₹52,000 crore last year.

  The budget is also expected to focus on balancing development projects with rising borrowings, which may exceed ₹1.25 lakh crore.

• 7 Mar 2025, 09:59:25 AM IST

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: CM Siddaramaiah to present his record 16th budget today

  Karnataka budget 2025 live updates: Chief minister Siddaramaiah is set to present his 16th Karnataka Budget on Friday, the highest by any leader in the state’s history.

  With an outlay expected to surpass ₹4 lakh crore, the budget is likely to prioritise infrastructure development while maintaining funding for welfare schemes.