Overcoming earlier speculations that he would not able to present his maiden budget, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar today presented a Rs. 1.17 lakh crore budget for the year 2013-14 as against Rs. 1.02 lakh crore budget presented by former CM D.V. Sadananda Gowda for 2012-13.

Presenting his maiden election-oriented budget at the Vidhana Soudha, Shettar announced formation of 43 new taluks (one in Hanur of Chamarajanagar district), a spree of developmental programmes for his constituency, offering sops to religious institutions, opening of 272 Nada Kacheries, raising the widow and old age pensions by Rs. 500, reducing VAT by 0.5 per cent for the convenience of drought-hit farmers.

He also announced that Rs. 1,300 crore had been ear-marked for providing rice at Rs. 2 per kg under Public Distribution System for those living Below Poverty Line (BPL).

He also announced a Rs. 100 crore package for development of Chamarajanagar district, Rs. 25 crore for renovation of Mysore Palace and added that 27 out of the 67 schemes launched for development of Bangalore and Mysore have been completed and works on the remaining schemes will be completed before June 13.

The Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar also announced setting up of Souranagar (Solar City) in Mysore at a cost Rs. 5 crore and setting up of Sir. M. Visveswaraya Research Centre in Mysore University.

The CM also announced that Rs. 2 crore had been earmarked for development of Akhila Bharatha Model Education Institution in memory of late M. Rajashekahara Murthy in Chamarajangar.

Announcing that a hostel for children of Pourakarmikas in Mysore would be established, he added that farmers would be given interest-free loans upto Rs. 1 lakh and also announced the hike of 5 per cent house rental allowance to Government employees in their basic pay.

The Chief Minister also announced that the salaries of Anganwadi teachers would be raised by Rs. 500 and that of Anganwadi workers would be raised by Rs. 250 and announced that Rs. 50,000 would be given to Anganwadi teachers and Rs. 30,000 to Anganwadi workers on their retirement.

The process of presenting budget was still on when we went to press at 2 pm.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore