Karnataka Budget 2025 Highlights: Bengaluru Metro to connect airport, plans to launch state-owned OTT platform

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The State of Karnataka announced its ₹1,800 crore plan which is set aside for the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ Plan, according to the March 7, State Budget announcement. 

“In order to strengthen the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ Plan, Rs. 1,800 crore has been set aside for 21 schemes during the FY 2024-25,” said the State government in the budget announcement.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: Karnataka's State Government plans to build a ₹8,916 crore double-decker flyover along with the State's Namma Metro Phase 3, according to the State budget announcement on Friday, March 7.

“A 40.5 km double decker flyover will be constructed at a cost of ₹8,916 crore along with Namma Metro Phase – 3 Project,” said the State government. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The Karnataka State Government, in their Budget announcement, said that they aim to grant scholarships to students from the scheduled caste background in hundred prestigious national educational institutions to support their higher education needs. 

“Scholarships will be given to Scheduled Castes students getting admission to graduate/ post graduate degree courses in 100 prestigious national educational institutions to support their higher education,” said the government in the official Budget announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The state government of Karnataka allocated ₹62,033 crore for children-centric programmes and also ₹94,084 crore for women-centric developments, according to the data collected from the State Budget announcement on March 7. 

This allocation will be applicable for the financial year 2025-26, according to the official data.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: Anganwadi helpers to get an increased monthly payment of ₹1,000 from the current level of ₹750, according to the Karnataka State Budget document. 

“The monthly honorarium given to anganawadi workers will be enhanced by ₹1,000 and to anganawadi helpers by ₹750. These workers and helpers play a crucial role in the care and learning of 37 lakh children in the State,” said the government on March 7. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The Philippines-based Asian Development Bank will assist the State Government of Karnataka to launch 500 new Karnataka Public Schools at the cost of ₹2,500 crore, according to the official budget 2025-26 announcement. 

“500 new Karnataka Public Schools will be started at a cost of ₹2,500 crore with assistance from Asian Development Bank,” said the State Government in the official announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The State of Karnataka, in its annual Budget 2025-26, announced that it will provide additional ₹450 over and above the ₹7,550 per quintal under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for the procurement of toor dal with a total expenditure of ₹138 crore. 

“This will benefit farmers of major toor dal growing districts of Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadagiri, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Kolar, Chitradurga and Chikkaballapur,” said the State government in the budget announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The State of Karnataka, in its Budget 2025-26 announcement, directed that the government aims to disburse ₹28,000 crore in agricultural loans to 37 lakh farmers in the financial year 2025-26. 

“It is aimed to disburse loans worth Rs. 28,000 crore to 37 lakh farmers in the current year,” they said in the official announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The government of Karnataka, in its State Budget on March 7, announced that fish vendors belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes will receive 50% or up to ₹3 lakh for the purchase of four-wheeler vehicles. 

“50% financial assistance or up to ₹3 lakh will be provided to select fish vendors belonging to Scheduled Castes /Scheduled Tribes for the purchase of four-wheeler vehicles,” said the government in the announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The State of Karnataka allocated ₹8,000 crore investment in minor irrigation, roads, & urban infrastructure under the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Program (CMIDP). 

“A new scheme called the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Program (CMIDP) is being launched with ₹8,000 crore investment to ensure balanced development across the state, focusing on minor irrigation, roads and urban infrastructure in all legislative assembly constituencies of the State,” said the government in the State Budget announcement. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The State government of Karnataka committed to ₹13,692 crore of subsidies and financial assistance, according to the official Budget document. 

“In order to attract large investments, the Government has made a commitment towards financial assistance and subsidies totalling Rs. 13,692 crore,” they said, highlighting the 5.8% growth in the State's industrial sector. 

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The state government of Karnataka allocated ₹51,339 crore this year for the farming sector. 

“The state government had allocated ₹44,000 crore to various departments for farmer welfare schemes last year. In the current year, a total of Rs. 51,339 crore has been allocated for the farming sector,” said the State Government in the State Budget announcement. 

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: Karnataka government on Friday, March 7, State Budget allocated ₹320 crore from the prevention of the maternal mortality. 

“It is our resolve to reduce preventable maternal mortality rate to zero,” said the government, according to the Budget document. The government reiterated its motive of ensuring healthcare quality in the State. 

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar questioned the central government and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for not focusing on the State of Karnataka in the Union Budget. 

“BJP should answer what they have given to Karnataka. They don't have the guts, voice, strength, and moral right to save Karnataka. In the central budget, nothing was given to Karnataka,” said DK Shivakumar, cited the news agency PTI. 

“Let them do whatever they want. It is the will of the people and we are there to protect the people of Karnataka. It is not like their budget and their tenure. Whatever promises we made have been fulfilled,” he said, reported the news agency. 

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The state government will most likely review the liquor prices to match rates in neighbouring states.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: . The National Foreign Student Scholarship amount given to minority students will be enhanced from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah announced that multiplexes across Karnataka will now have a maximum ticket price cap of ₹200. "The cost of the ticket of each show in all theatres of the state including multiplexes will be capped at ₹200," the Budget document stated.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: A 'Comprehensive Health Programme' will be implemented over the next three years under the Brand Bengaluru Plan at a cost of ₹413 crore to make Bengaluru a city of global health standards.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The Vijayapura Airport, built at a cost of ₹348 crore, will be operational by 2025-26. ₹53 crore has been allocated for Raichur Airport. The government is currently acquiring land for Karwar Naval Airport. Nearly ₹319 crore was allocated to expand the runway at Mysuru Airport.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: A seed bank will be established to conserve the 20 GI-tagged and other indigenous crops.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The government has introduced a new Industrial Policy 2025-30, which aims to achieve 12% industrial growth and create 20 lakh jobs by 2030.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The government will establish an ‘Akka cafe and canteen’ in the district and Taluka Panchayat office premises to generate employment among women.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE:  The government will launch the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Program(CMIDP) with an investment of ₹8,000 crore aimed at  balanced regional development across the state.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah said that the central transfers to Karnataka have declined after the implementation of the 15th Finance Commission devolution formula. Karnataka's share of tax devolution in the divisible pool was reduced to 3.6% in the 15th Finance Commission period from 4.7% in the 14th Finance Commission.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah changed the budget presentation schedule due to ‘Raahu Kaal.’ The presentation was initially planned at 11:00 am but was advanced to 10:15 am to avoid an inauspicious period from 10:30 am, according to a report by Prajavani.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The government has increased the yearly grant of Bengaluru City from ₹3,000 crore to ₹7,000 crore this year.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The financial assistance given in place of an additional 5 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya Scheme started with the objective of will be replaced with 5 Kg additional rice. 

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: A Buddhist Study Academy will be established in Bengaluru. The 100-year-old library at the Mahabodhi Study Centre in Bengaluru will be digitalized at a cost of Rs1 crore, CM Siddaramaiah announced.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The state government will rename Bangalore City University to Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City

University. 

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The government plans to build 15 women's colleges on vacant Waqf land in 2024-25 for minority women and 16 more in 2025-26.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: The government will set up a silkworm market in Mysore in collaboration with NABARD. An allocation of   ₹2,000 crore for Mahanagara Palikes for urban development.

KARNATAKA BUDGET 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah announced to provide financial assistance of ₹50,000 to minority families for low-cost weddings.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will increase the honorarium for Jain priests, Chief Granthis of Sikhs, and Pesh-Imams of mosques to ₹6,000 per month.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah announced the establishment of a ‘Knowledge Bank’ at IISc Bengaluru to help farmers with information on production, crop health, market issues, and agricultural practices.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: During the Karnataka budget speech, CM Siddaramaiah announced the launch of a state-owned OTT platform to promote Kannada language programs.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The government plans on an 18.5 km long North-South tunnel to connect Hebbal Esteem Mall to Silk Board Junction at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore to address traffic congestion in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah allocated ₹1,800 crore for 21 projects under the Brand Bengaluru. Nearly ₹3,000 crore was allocated to address weather-related challenges and ₹555 crore for the fifth phase of the Cauvery water supply project.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The Bengaluru Metro will be expanded to Devanahalli, near Kempegowda International Airport.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: During the Karnataka budget speech 2025, CM Siddaramaiah announced that multiplexes can charge a maximum ticket price cap of ₹200 across Karnataka.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE:  Siddaramaiah defended his government's flagship guarantee schemes and stated they are not "freebies" but crucial measures to address poverty and social justice.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The state will establish 250 Moulana Azad Model English Medium Schools in phases. ₹500 crore will allocated for this program, with ₹100 crore for this year.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The Karnataka state GDP has grown by 7.4%, and agriculture has also witnessed growth by 4%.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah begins the budget presentation by quoting poems from Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu and other popular poets.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: A day before the Karnataka budget, CM Siddaramaiah took to X to share his thoughts on the upcoming budget.

“Over the past few days, we have held meetings with our cabinet ministers, senior officials from various departments, farmers’ leaders, the disadvantaged, minority, backward class organizations, and religious heads.Through this budget, I have made an effort to listen to the aspirations of people from all castes, races, and classes of society, in a non-partisan manner, and respond positively to their demands," CM wrote.

“I feel that the Budget is not just numbers on a piece of paper, but a manual for shaping the future of seven crore Kannadigas of the State. I believe that I have made a sincere effort to ensure that every citizen of the State is a beneficiary of some form of government scheme through this Budget,” he said.

Karnataka Budget 2025 LIVE: The budget session began on March 3 with the address by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to a joint session of the State legislature.