Plan outlay – State Budget 2014-15. Chart courtesy: Budget document
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s pro-agricultural, pro-poor Budget seems to concentrate more on the rest of Karnataka, but it hasn’t neglected Bangalore totally. The allocation to the city seems to focus more on addressing infrastructural problems than anything else.
Two major elevated corridors – one to smoothen the airport traffic and another to ease the pressure on outer ring road, will be major step towards reducing travelling time for Northern and Western parts of the city. But these also mean that the city will lose some more precious green cover. The Budget proposes to form Cubbon Park Management Authority to attract tourists, however, the role of this isn’t defined in the Budget speech.
Rs 100 crore has been allocated for 39 lakes under Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), while the rest of the lakes the BDA has taken over will have to wait till next Budget. Another 100 crores are allocated for the lakes in BBMP limits, which is a good news for the lake teams waiting to see the lakes rejuvenated.
BBMP, which has recently started road repair works under state grants, has got Rs 1527 crores for various activities to be undertaken in next financial year. 110 villages added to BBMP will be given Rs 250 crores for development, while the Budget promises to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to provide water to these villages. BWSSB, along with KUIDFC, will improve 74 kilometers of sewer lines in the city, for which the DPR is ready. There will also be 108 water treatment plants to come up in the city.
While the Budget mentions about Rs 540 crores allocated for railway works, it is silent on the sub-urban railway project. Fire department will be purchasing aerial ladder platform to address fire accidents in high rises.
City-based Akshara Foundation has developed Akshara Ganitha kits to facilitate teaching of mathematics in
simple way to enable the 4th and 5th standard students to understand mathematics. These kits will be provided to the students in backward regions of the state.
Some more highlights that concern to Bangalore in various ways follow here:
Overview
- Budget size (Consolidated fund) – Rs. 1,38,008 Crores. It is 34.8% more than the Budget
- Estimate of Rs. 1,21,611 crore estimated for B.E. 2013-14.
- State Plan size – Rs. 65,600 crore. It is 34.7% more than the Budget Estimate of Rs. 48,685
- crore estimate for B.E. 2013-14.
- Total receipts – Rs. 1,36,249 crore of which Rs. 1,11,039 is Revenue Receipts while
- Rs. 25,210 crore is Capital Receipts
- Total Expenditure – Rs. 1,38,008 crore of which Revenue Expenditure is Rs. 1,10,757 crore and Capital Expenditure Rs. 20,491 crore
Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)
- Construction and allocation of 8000 flats to the public.
- Formation and allocation of 5000 sites.
- Rs.100 crores for the implementation of Aranyikarana Hasiru Maale programme and development of 39 lakes.
- Construction of Peripheral Ring Road at the cost of Rs.5800 crores with assistance from JICA.
- Construction of Goraguntepalya of Tumkur Road Junction (NH-4) at a cost of Rs.125 crores.
- Construction of overbridge from ALISDA to BEL Circle at a cost of Rs.191.86 crores under JNNURM.
- Construction of Elevated Corridor from Basaveshwara Circle (Chalukya Circle) to Hebbal Junction at a cost of Rs.1100 crores will be taken up.
Bruhat Bengaluru Maha Nagara Palike (BBMP)
- Rs.1527 crores for various developmental activities under different schemes.
- Comprehensive development of selected Arterial and Sub Arterial Roads for smooth flow of traffic at estimated cost of Rs.500 crores.
- Widening of some of the important roads at estimated cost of Rs.300 crores.
- Construction of Railway underbridges and overbridges at an estimated cost of Rs.200 crores in collaboration with Railway Authorities at important Railway Crossings in the city.
- Comprehensive development of Pedestrian Footpaths at estimated cost of Rs.100 crores.
- Development of important junctions at estimated cost of Rs.100 crores.
- Development of 12 main roads under TENDER SURE model and other selected main roads at estimated cost of Rs.300 crores.
- Earmarking of Rs.250 crores for development of backward areas of earlier CMC and TMCs within BBMP jurisdiction.
- Earmarking of Rs.100 crores for development and protection of 31 lakes.
- Implementation of new parking policy at estimated cost of Rs.10 crores.
- Allocation of Rs.100 crores for disposal and processing of solid waste.
- Allocation of Rs.200 crores for construction of Grade Separators at important Junctions with heavy traffic density.
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)
- Detailed project report will be prepared for providing water supply to 110 villages in BBMP Area.
- DPR ready for improvement and renovation of 74 km Sewer lines with 50:50 sharing between BWSSB and Megacity Revolving Fund of KUIDFC.
- DPR ready for construction of 300 MLD Capacity Waste Water Treatment Plant.
- DPR ready for construction of 108 small Capacity Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bangalore city.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)
- Target for completion of entire network of 1st phase by the end of March 2015.
- 2nd Phase of Metro comprising of 61 Stations covering 72.10 kms is planned to be completed at the cost of Rs.26405 crores and approval of Government of India obtained.
Infrastructure Development Department:
- Steps for increasing terminal capacity in KIAL from 12 to 20 million passengers.
- Rs.540 crores for railway projects.
- Bangalore Gas Pipeline is functional and natural gas is being supplied to Bangalore. The distribution work of natural gas is in the final stage with the joint venture of KSIIDC and GAIL. Same will be completed at the earliest and action will be taken on priority basis for supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Bangalore City. Action will be taken to introduce and adopt eco-friendly CNG in Urban Transport Vehicles in a phased manner.
Forest, Environment and Ecology:
- Development of Botanical Garden in Hennur Tank area of Bangalore city to attract citizen and tourists.
Primary Education
- Filling up of 9405 posts of Government primary school teachers, 1137 Government High School teachers and 1130 Government Pre-university lecturers will be taken up.
- 10,000 students belonging to 9th and 11th standards from 100 selected Government Composite
PU Colleges will be imparted training in IT, Retail, Automative, Health Care, Beauty and Wellness
38 Budget 2014 – 15 domains. These programmes will be implemented through participation of industry, in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation of Government of India.
Higher Education:
- Establishment of Advanced Research Centres at Bangalore and Udupi to promote development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
- 50 scientists and 50 teachers in 50 subjects will be recruited under the “Welcome Home” scheme for
eminent research scholars and teachers of Indian Origin in foreign countries - Karnataka Science and Innovation Foundation to be formed to encourage research, new concepts and path breaking technologies, Science and Technology courses in all the Universities and Colleges involved in teaching science and technology. Government will provide Rs 1 core for this purpose.
- Deterioration in distance education will be prevented in co-ordination with International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. Karnataka Virtual University will be established for providing
immense benefit to the students in the system of formal, and informal education.
Health and Family Welfare:
- Setting up special unit in Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore, for patients suffering from Haemophilia, Thalassaemia, Sickle-cell Anaemia and Primary Immuno Deficiency.
Social Welfare:
- Development of Park at available land in Beggars’ Relief Centre in Magadi Road, Bangalore.
Minorities Welfare, Haj and Wakf
- Rs.17 crore additional grant for Haj Bhavan in Bangalore.
Kannada and Culture:
- Construction of Kala Bhavan in Arkavathy layout, Bangalore
Sports and Youth Services:
- Upgradation of Sri Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore
Commerce & Industries:
- Establishment of Gems and Jewellery SEZ in Devanahalli of Bangalore Rural District in 10 hectares of land
- Rs.10 crore for upgradation of Convention Center at KTPO, White Field.
- Implementation of Karnataka Investment Promotion Programme.
- Information Technology, Bio Technology and Science and Technology:
- Constitution of Skill Development Societies with an initial corpus of Rs.10 crores to meet the skill requirements of IT and Electronic Companies.
- Setting up of Greenfield ESDM Clusters for Electronic Hardware Sector.
- Revision of Animation, Visual effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Policy and setting up of Digital Media City and AVGC Labs.
- Providing Science education to school students using Robotics Technology.
Tourism:
- To make Bangalore tourist-friendly, it is proposed to establish Cubbon Park Management Authority, Global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition) Center Near International Airport, Aero Museum at Jakkur and Urban Park Near Turahalli forest area through Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd.
- Publication of “Investment-friendly Tourism Policy”.
- New Tourism Human Resource Development Policy will be brought-out.
Information Department:
- Establishment of High-Tech State Media Centre at Vartha Soudha in Bangalore at a cost of Rs. 5 crores.
- Development of Multiplex theatres with four screen facilities.
- Construction of International standard film city in Hesaraghatta, Bangalore.
- An annual award instituted to promote short films.
- Launching of a separate health insurance scheme for accredited journalists and their family.
- Enhancement of pension given to retired journalists from Rs.3000 to Rs.6000.
Home:
- Implementation of Ambulance-Signal Lights Synchronisation Scheme under B-Trac Scheme Rs.72 crores.
- Providing Rs.10 crores for construction of hostel building under K-SAFE scheme to R.A. Mundkur Fire Force Academy, Bangalore.
- Installation of Mobile jammers, barbed wire fencing and CCTV cameras for providing safety and security in different Central Jails of the State.
- Establishment of Water Processing Units in 7 Central Jails.
- Enhancement of Group Insurance amount for all the ranks in the Police Department up to Inspector level
- Enhancement of ex-gratia amount of Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.30 lakhs in case of death of police personnel while on duty.
- Enhancement of ex-gratia amount for permanent disability will be increased to Rs.10 lakhs and for serious injuries it will be increased to Rs.2 lakhs.
- Providing Rs.15 crores for construction of Fire Station buildings and residential quarters.
- Purchase of modern Aerial Ladder Platform to attend fire accidents in high rise buildings.
Law and Courts:
- Construction of Advocates Bhavan in City Civil Court Complex, Bangalore, at Rs.2 crores.
Goods and Services Tax
- Necessary steps to prepare trade and industry as also the department for its introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Commercial Taxes:
- Revenue collection target fixed at Rs.42,000 crores for 2014-15.
Value Added Tax:
- Tax exemption on paddy, rice, wheat, pulses and products of rice and wheat continued for one more year.
- Reduction in tax on scented arecanut powder excluding mixture from 14.5% to 5.5%
- Increase in registration limit from Rs.5 lakhs of annual turnover to Rs.7.5 lakhs.
- Waiver of penalty payable for default in filing of returns by small dealers who have no tax liability and opt for cancellation of their registration.
- Increase in minimum sale value fixed for obtaining electronic delivery note (e-SUGAM) from Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000.
- Exemption to works contractors from compulsory registration provision.
- Suitable administrative measures to enable dealers to rectify mistakes in the returns which have no tax implication.
- Provision for single second appeal against reassessment for several tax periods of one financial year.
- Levy 5.5% VAT on liquor sold by bar and restaurants operating in urban areas and by clubs, lodging houses and star hotels.
- Provision for filing of annual statements by dealers.
Luxury Tax:
- Increase in minimum daily rent for taxation from Rs.500 to Rs.750.
Entry Tax:
- Tax exemption on ethanol brought for mixing with petrol.
- Provision for filing of monthly returns by dealers and deemed acceptance of such returns as under VAT.
Excise
- Revenue collection target of Rs.14,400 crores fixed for the year 2014-15.
- Increase in Additional Excise Duty on Beer from 122% to 135 %
- Increase in Licence fee of Primary Distillery, Indian Liquor Manufacturing Distillery and Brewery by 50%.
- Increase in Licence fee of MSIL retail liquor shops (CL-11C) from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.3 lakhs.
- Increase in fee for shifting of shops from one place to another, from existing 25% to 50% of the Licence fee charged on the Licence in respect of such shops.
Stamps and Registration
- Revenue collection target is fixed at Rs.7450 crores for 2014-15
- Stamp Duty exemption on subsequent sale deed relating to alternate site allotted by the Bangalore Development Authority, consequent to the denotification of the land.
- Stamp Duty exemption on instruments executed between concerned persons under the Aerospace Policy 2013-23.
- Provision for remission and reduction of Stamp Duty on instruments specified in the
- Government notification dated: 23-04-2003, with retrospective effect.
- Reduction in Stamp Duty on Award relating to movable properties from the current 5% to rates ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, on slab basis.
- Stamp Duty at uniform reduced rate of 2% on all Joint development agreements and their consequent Powers of Attorney.
- Reduction in Stamp Duty on instrument relating to Delivery Order from 0.5% to 0.1% on the value of goods imported into the State, and also Stamp Duty exemption on goods imported into the State that are exempted from Customs Duty.
General Administration
- On the lines of Central Government implementing the Lokpal Act, 2013, action will be taken for formulating a new Act in Karntaka Transport
- PC Hota committee recommendations for ensuring transparency in KPSC recruitments are being implemented.
- Freedom Fighters pension will be enhanced from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000. Honorarium for participants from the State in Goa Liberation Movement will be enhanced from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 3,000
Transport
- Revenue collection target is fixed at Rs. 4350 crores for 2014-15
- Proposal to provide online services of receiving and attending to applications for registration of vehicles, learning and driving licenses in any of the offices in the districts having more than one Regional Transport Offices.
- Phase-I and Phase-II of the construction of Truck Terminal in an area of 13.28 acres and at a
- cost of Rs. 20.48 cr. in Dasanapura, Dasanapura Hobli, Bangalore North Taluk is in progress. Truck Terminal is proposed to be completed in 2014.
- Levy of Rs. 500 per seat per quarter instead of lifetime tax for the Motor Cabs costing more than Rs.15 lakhs and registered in other states and entering Karnataka on tourist vehicle permit.
- Suitable amendment to the Motor Vehicle Taxation Act to prevent vehicles registered in other States from plying in the State without payment of lifetime tax.
Miscellaneous:
Funds sought for Bangalore: In the memorandum submitted to the 14th Finance Commission in October 2013, the State Government has emphasized that the share of States in Central taxes should be increased from 32% to 40%. The state has put forth a request to the Commission for State – specific grants of Rs.105,495 crore including Rs.51,140 crore for development of infrastructure of Bangalore and Rs.15,940 crore for Development of Hyderabad Karnataka and other Backward Districts.
Towards transparency: Khajane II, an Integrated Financial Management System, will be implemented during 2014-15 at a total cost of Rs.90 crore, to provide a single electronic platform to Government officials, banks and public, to carry out all financial transactions pertaining to the State Government. The project will enable citizens to make payments like taxes and fees to the Government online from their place of convenience. Beneficiaries, pensioners, contractors and suppliers can get their payments electronically direct to their bank accounts.
Namma Bhoomi: As Bhoomi software is decade-old, a new software called ‘Namma Bhoomi’ having state of the Art technology will be developed for modernizing the existing system and establishing a Complete Land Record Administration and Management Tool. The system will be made more effective for making land administration farmer friendly by decentralizing the land related services from taluk level to Hobli level using the new software.
Get Khata from anywhere: With integration of Kaveri Software and Bhoomi Software for registration and Khata of land, a facility will be extended to enable issue of Khata by concerned Tahsildar, even if the property is registered anywhere in the State. It is not clear whether this is applicable to Bangalore Urban / BBMP limits.
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