Bengaluru: Keeping eye on 2023 Assembly elections in the state to woo all communities voters, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai who also holds the Financial portfolio presented his maiden budget by announcing sops to all sections of the society without levying taxes. 

Chief Minister has presented budget 2022-23 with an estimation of Rs. 2,65,720 crores, an increase of 7.7% compared to the 2021-22 budget size. 

To woo voters of all communities for the 2023 Assembly elections, the Chief Minister has been generous in announcing new schemes, grants, subsidies, and popular announcements. Under the five formula Pancha Suthra” (Five formulae) for development, the CM presented his maiden budget today in the Legislative Assembly. According to five formulas, Inclusive, Comprehensive economic and social development of the state. Besides Mr. Bommai has emphasized for protection and upliftment of weaker sections and the formulation of schemes for education, employment, and empowerment to lead self-reliant life without being dependent, Mr. Bommai said in the budget. 

More interestingly the Chief Minister has given a fitting reply to the Opposition Congress in the Budget by earmarking Rs. 1000 crores for completion of Mekedatu Balancing reservoir and drinking water to Bengaluru. Congress has resorted 'political' padayatra from Mekedatu demanding the state government to implement the Mekedatu scheme. 

Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Bengaluru Drinking Water Project will be implemented by getting required clearances from the appropriate authority of Central Government”, Mr. Bommai announced in the budget while allocating Rs. 1000 crore to the project. 

Chief Minister has more generous to temples and archakas. He said that temples under Endowment Department will be given autonomy. 

Besides, the Chief Minister has pushed pending infrastructure projects for Bengaluru by allocating Rs. 8404 crore grants to the city. 

Mr. Bommai’s love for irrigation projects and schemes had reflected in his budget. He has earmarked Rs. 8774 crore for taking up new irrigation projects in the state for 2022-23. Bommai has assured the grant of Rs.5,000 crore will be provided in the current year for implementation of North Karnataka’s ambitious Upper Krishna Project- Stage-3 and works related to the project will be taken up by giving priority to land acquisition, rehabilitation and reconstruction works.

Punyakoti Dattu Yojane: Taking note of stray cattle menace in Uttar Pradesh after anti cow slaughter bill came into force, the Chief Minister has introduced Punyakoti Dattu Yojane to encourage NGOs and private organizations to adopt stray cattle. 

Mr. Bommai that ‘Punyakoti Dattu Yojane’ first of its kind in India to encourage public and private institutions to adopt cows in the Goshalas by paying Rs.11,000 annually. 55. In order to conserve and increase the stock of indigenous cow breeds, 2,000 cows will be distributed to farmers through KMF.

Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020 has been implemented last year. For effective implementation of this Act, the number of Goshalas will be increased from the present 31 to 100. For this purpose, Rs.50 crore will be provided, the Chief Minister said. 

He also encouraged milk production in the state by announcing Ksheera Samruddhi Sahakara Bank is proposed to be established for the first time in the State. A total grant of Rs.33,700 crore is provided to the agriculture and allied activities sector in the year 2022-23.

Co-operative sector: Under the interest subsidy scheme implemented through the co-operative

societies an agricultural loan of Rs.16,355 crore has been distributed to 22.50 lakh farmers so far during the year 2021-22.

Out of this, the loan has been distributed to 2.5 lakh new farmers. It is targeted to distribute Rs.24,000 crore of agricultural loans to a total 33 lakh farmers in the year 2022-23, of which 3 lakh would be new

farmers.

In an attempt to damage control measures for dropping Narayanaguru tableau of Centre during Republic Day celebration, the state government has announced in the Budget that Sri Narayan Guru Residential School will be started, one each in the districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and

Shivamogga. To placate a large section of Idiga vote bank in the state, the government has announced to setting up Narayana Guru Residential schools for OBCs students. Chief Minister has said that Sri Narayan Guru – a messiah of humanity and equality. 

To reach out to micro scoping communities among OBCs and BCs, the state government has announced Rs. 400 crore through corporations established for the development of various communities under the Backward Classes Welfare Department.

Programs will be formulated in an amount of Rs.400 crore for the development of backward and most

backward communities such as Tigala,Mali, Mali malagara, Kumbara, Yadava, Devadiga, Simpi, Kshatriya, Medara, Kunchi, Kurma, Pinjara / Nadaf, Kuruba, Balija, Idiga and Hadapada communities through the Devaraj Urs Development Corporation, he stated. 

The Veerashaiva Lingayatha Development Corporation and Vakkaligara Development Corporation have already been announced and schemes will be formulated at a cost of Rs.100 crore each in the current year.

172. Development schemes will be implemented through Maratha Development Corporation at  a cost of Rs.50 crore, Chief Minister announced in the Budget