On March 7, 2025, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will present the 16th Budget of his tenure. The Karnataka state government is expected to allocate 4 lakh crore for the upcoming fiscal year, marking an increase from ₹3.71 lakh crore in the previous year. The state’s legislative session began on March 3, 2025, with a speech by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

State’s Economic Performance

The state’s GDP has shown a robust growth of 7.4%, surpassing the national growth rate of 6.2%. Agriculture has also posted a positive % growth rate of 4%, further strengthening the state’s economic standing.

Major Announcements in the Budget

• Metro Expansion: One of the most anticipated announcements is the extension of Bengaluru’s metro network, which will now connect to Kempegowda International Airport, enhancing the city’s transportation infrastructure.
• North-South Tunnel: To alleviate Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion, a ₹15,000 crore project has been proposed to construct an 18.5 km long North-South tunnel linking Hebbal Esteem Mall to Silk Board Junction.
• Infrastructure and Urban Development: A significant ₹1,800 crore has been earmarked for 21 key projects under the “Brand Bengaluru” initiative. In addition, the government has set aside nearly ₹3,000 crore to tackle weather-related challenges in the state, and ₹555 crore will go towards the fifth phase of the Cauvery water supply project.
• Support for Indigenous Crops: The Budget also includes provisions to set up a seed bank dedicated to conserving 20 GI-tagged crops and other indigenous varieties, which will help preserve the state’s agricultural heritage.

New Industrial Policy and Job Creation

A new Industrial Policy for 2025-2030 has been unveiled to achieve 12% growth in the industrial sector and create 20 lakh jobs by 2030. This strategic focus aims to enhance Karnataka’s industrial footprint and generate more employment opportunities.

Union Minister of state Shri Harsh Malhotra, BJP President Shri Virendra Sachdeva and BJP National Minister Shrimati Alka Gurjar released the book.

The book is themed on the changing demography of Delhi written by Richa Pandey Mishra, President of Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha.

The book has already appeared in “Amazon Best Seller” category in online sale.

16 September 2024, Delhi

The book “Delhi That Matters” was released today at the Constitution Club in Delhi. The book was released by Central Government Minister of state Mr. Harsh Malhotra, BJP Delhi State President Mr. Virendra Sachdeva and BJP National Minister Mrs. Alka Gurjar.

Through this book, the life of the people who came from UP, Bihar, especially Purvanchal in Delhi and their significant role is discussed.

The book is a combination of short stories and facts and sensitively discusses the burning issues of Delhi like Yamuna river pollution, air pollution, women’s safety.

During the launch of the book, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra said that it is very important to have thoughtful people in politics, he congratulated Richa Pandey Mishra for writing this book.

BJP State President Shri Virendra Sachdeva said that this book talks about such issues which the people of Delhi are facing every day. Virendra Sachdeva ji said that it is a matter of pride for BJP workers to have a deep understanding of such issues.

BJP National Minister Smt. Alka Gurjar also congratulated Richa Pandey Mishra for the simplicity with which serious topics like women’s safety were raised in the book.

The author of the book, Richa Pandey Mishra said that the purpose of this book is to draw attention towards the people of Delhi who are a big and important part of this city but somewhere they have been considered invisible by the policy makers.

The book also contains short stories related to Chhath Puja and Purvanchali folk songs.

Along with many state officials of Delhi BJP, many well-known writers, thinkers and intelligentsia of Delhi were also present in the release program.

The Karnataka government has passed a controversial bill that mandates a quota for local residents in private sector jobs, leading to significant backlash from the industry.

The Karnataka government has enacted a new bill requiring private companies to reserve a portion of jobs for local residents, a move that has sparked considerable opposition from the business community.

The legislation, aimed at boosting employment opportunities for locals, mandates that private sector companies allocate a specific percentage of their jobs to residents of Karnataka. The government believes this will address the rising unemployment rates and provide better job security for the local populace.

However, the bill has faced substantial criticism from industry leaders, who argue that it could hinder business operations and growth. They contend that imposing such quotas may limit their ability to hire the best talent available, regardless of geographical boundaries, potentially affecting productivity and competitiveness.

Despite the backlash, the government remains steadfast in its decision, asserting that the bill will bring long-term benefits to the local economy. They have urged companies to comply with the new regulations and work towards integrating more local talent into their workforce.

Industry associations are expected to engage in further discussions with the government to seek a balanced solution that addresses both the employment concerns of local residents and the operational needs of businesses.