Karnataka budget 2024: Rs 100 cr for Waqf properties, Rs 200 cr for Christian community
CM Siddaramaiah announced the State Karnataka budget on February 16, 2024. The Karnataka State budget for 2024-25 is set at ₹3,71,383 crore, up from the revised estimate of ₹3,12,708 crore for 2023-24.
You can find the Karnataka state budget PDF for 2024 here.
Karnataka budget highlights
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has set aside ₹52,000 crore for five guarantee schemes: Shakti, Gruha Jyoti, Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, and Anna Bhagya in 2024-25. “Each family receives an average of ₹50,000 to ₹55,000 every year through these schemes,” Mr. Siddaramaiah explained passionately while defending the schemes.
While he has not increased any taxes, he has presented a revenue deficit budget with the net borrowings crossing ₹1 lakh crore, perhaps for the first time in a year.
Karnataka budget allocation for minorities
CM Siddaramaiah allocates Rs 100 cr for Waqf properties, Rs 200 cr for Christian community
Siddaramaiah announced that Rs 50 crore will be set aside for improving key Jain pilgrimage sites. Additionally, Karnataka CM mentioned that programs costing Rs 393 crore will be created and carried out by Minorities Development Corporations in 2024-25.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who handles the Finance portfolio, unveiled the Karnataka Budget on February 16. He dedicated Rs 100 crore for Waqf properties and Rs 200 crore for the Christian community. There will be a special focus on safeguarding and preserving protected monuments linked to Waqf properties, managed by the ASI.
The Congress government also set aside Rs 10 crore for building the Mangaluru Haj Bhavan and announced plans to open 100 Maulana Azad schools across the state.
Siddaramaiah declared that Rs 50 crore will be used for enhancing major Jain pilgrimage sites. Additionally, the sacred Tripitakas of the Buddhist community will be translated into Kannada, with necessary funding allocated for the project.
A sum of Rs 2 crore will be allocated for designing targeted schemes aimed at the financial empowerment of the Sikligar Community. Furthermore, Shri Nanak Jhira Saheb Gurudwara in Bidar will receive a development grant of Rs 1 crore.
Siddaramaiah disclosed that programs amounting to Rs 393 crore will be devised and implemented during 2024-25 through Minorities Development Corporations.
On Friday, Siddaramaiah remarked, “The tourism policy will be revised for 2024-29 to attract more tourists and investors to leverage the state’s tourism potential. Anjanadri Hills and the surrounding areas in Koppal district, which hold mythological and historical significance, will receive Rs 100 crore for tourism development.”