budgets of Karnataka Driven by various Fiscal Consolidation measures, Karnataka has managed its expenditure well even while enhancing its revenues. The State’s Fiscal Deficit has declined marginally from 2.79% in 2015-16 (RE) to the level of 2.12% of GSDP in 2016-17 (BE), while the capital outlay has increased marginally from Rs. 21133.91 crore in 2015-16(RE) to Rs. 25715.90 crore in 2016-17(BE). This indicates that entire borrowings are invested under capital outlay. The State’s Revenue Receipts have increased to Rs.130758.07 crore in 2016- 17 (BE) from Rs.117730.86 crore in 2015-16 (RE).
The State’s fiscal consolidation efforts have continued to be effective with all the fiscal indicators contained within the stipulated limits of the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002 (KFRA).
The Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Mr. Siddaramaiah presented the budgets of Karnataka for financial year 2017-18 on March 14, 2017.
Budget Highlights
- The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Karnataka for 2017-18 at current prices is estimated to be Rs 12,80,465 crore, which is 15% higher than the revised estimates for 2016-17
- Total expenditure for 2017-18 is estimated to be Rs 1,86,561 crore, 13.4% higher than the revised estimates of 2016-17. In 2016-17, there was an increase of Rs 1,060 crore (0.6%) in the government’s expenditure during the year, over its budget estimate.
- Total receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2017-18 are estimated to be Rs 1,45,027 crore, an increase of 9% over the revised estimates of 2016-17. In 2016-17, total receipts were higher than the budget target by Rs 2,148 crore.
- Revenue surplus for 2017-18 is targeted at Rs 137 crore, or 0.01% of GSDP. Fiscal deficit is targeted at Rs 33,359 crore (2.61% of GSDP). Primary Deficit is estimated to be Rs 19,200 crore, which is 1.50% of GSDP. Policy Highlights
- Namma Canteen: Namma canteens will be opened in each of the 198 wards of Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike. The canteens will serve breakfast for Rs 5, and lunch and dinner for Rs 10. Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the scheme.
- Housing: Seven lakh houses are proposed to be constructed. Of this, six lakh will be constructed in rural areas, and one lakh in Bengaluru.
- Tax exemptions: The following items are proposed to be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT): Navane, Same, Aaraka, Baragu, coconut husk, and pulses.
- Excise Duty on liquor: Additional Excise Duty on two of the 17 slabs of excise duty (which is levied on liquor) is proposed to be increased by 6%. On the other 15 slabs, it is proposed to be increased by 10% and 16%. Further, VAT will be removed from sale of liquor including beer, fenny and wine.
- Increase in taxes on two-wheelers: The tax on registration of two-wheelers is proposed to be increased from the current rate of 12% to 18%
- The highest allocation of Rs 20,008 crore has been made for Education, which is 5.7% lower than the budget estimates of 2016-17. This is followed by Rs 14,433 crore being allocated for water Resources, which is 36% higher than 2016-17. Rs 13,732 crore has been allocated for urban development.
budgets of Karnataka Estimates for 2017-18
- The total expenditure in 2017-18 is targeted at Rs 1,86,561 crore. The revised estimate for the expenditure in 2016-17 is Rs 1,64,479 crore, which is 0.6% (Rs 1,060 crore) more than the budgeted target of 2016-17.
- The expenditure in 2017-18 is proposed to be met through receipts (other than borrowings) of Rs 1,45,027 crore and borrowings of Rs 37,092 crore. Total receipts for 2017-18 (other than borrowings) are expected to be 9% higher than the revised estimates of 2016-17.
Expenditure in budgets of Karnataka 2017-18
- Government expenditure can be divided into (a) Capital Expenditure, which affects the assets and liabilities of the state, and (b) Revenue Expenditure, which includes the rest of the expenses.
- Total capital expenditure of Karnataka is proposed to be Rs 41,806 crore, which is an increase of 27.9% over the revised estimates of 2016-17. This includes expenditure which leads to creation of assets, and repayment of loans, among others.
- Total revenue expenditure for 2017-18 is proposed to be Rs 1,44,755 crore, which is an increase of 9.8% over revised estimates of 2016-17. This expenditure includes payment of salaries, administration of government programs, etc.
Other announcements in budgets of Karnataka :
- agriculture: Rs 6,505 crore has been allocated for Agriculture and Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture, which is 15% higher than the revised estimates of 2016-17. Rs 845 crore has been allocated for the Raitha Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna.
- Health and Family Welfare: Rs 6,728 crore has been allocated for Health and Family Welfare, which is 3.7% higher than the revised estimates of 2016-17. 200 medical stores will be started under the Jana Aushadi Generic Medical Stores scheme to provide generic medicines at lower prices.
- Subsidies: Karnataka is expected to spend Rs 24,232 crore on subsidies in 2017-18. Of this, the highest allocation of Rs 8,841crore is for power, followed by Rs 3,654 crore for housing.
Receipts in budgets of Karnataka 2017-18
- The total revenue receipts for 2017-18 are estimated to be Rs 1,44,891 crore, an increase of 9% over the revised estimates of 2016-17.
- State’s tax revenue is expected to increase by 9.4% (Rs 7,746 crore) in 2017-18 over the revised estimates of 2016-17. The tax to GSDP ratio is targeted at 7.0% in 2017-18, which is lower than the revised estimate of 7.4% in 2016-17. This implies that Growth in collection of taxes is expected to be lower than the estimated economic growth.
- Non-tax revenue in 2017-18 is estimated to decrease by 2.2% (Rs 154 crore) over the revised estimates of 2016-17
Total tax revenue of budgets of Karnataka is estimated to be Rs 89,957 crore in 2017-18.
- Tax Revenue: Sales Tax is expected to be the largest component (59%) of the tax revenue, with an estimated collection of Rs 52,600 crore.
- Sales Tax collections are expected to increase by 15% over the revised estimates of 2016-17. Note that GST is expected to be introduced in 2017-18. It will subsume taxes such as Sales Tax and Entertainment Tax (unless levied by local bodies). Whether the roll-out of GST will increase tax collections will become clear in due course of time.
- Rs 18,050 crore is expected to be generated from the levy of Excise Duty. In addition, Rs 9,000 crore will be collected by levying stamp duty.
- Non Tax Revenue: budgets of Karnataka has estimated to generate Rs 6,945 crore through non-tax sources in 2017- 18. This includes Rs 2,668 crore through mining and metallurgical industries (11% higher than 2016-17), and Rs 1,311 crore through interest receipts (8% higher than 2016-17)
Deficits, Debts and FRBM Targets for budgets of Karnataka 2017-18
The Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002 provides annual targets to progressively reduce the outstanding liabilities, Revenue Deficit and fiscal deficit of the State Government.
Revenue deficit: It is the excess of revenue expenditure over revenue receipts. A revenue deficit implies that the government needs to borrow in order to finance its expenses which do not create capital assets. However, the budget estimates a revenue surplus of Rs 137 crore (or 0.01% of GSDP) in 2017-18. This implies that revenue receipts are expected to be higher than the revenue expenditure, resulting in a surplus. The estimate indicates that the state is meeting the target of eliminating revenue deficit, as prescribed by the 14th Finance Commission.
Fiscal deficit: It is the excess of total expenditure over total receipts. This gap is filled by borrowings by the government, and leads to an increase in total liabilities of the government. A high fiscal deficit may imply a higher repayment obligation for the state in the future. In 2017-18, fiscal deficit is estimated to be Rs 33,359 crore, which is 2.61% of the GSDP.
Total Liabilities: It is the accumulation of borrowings over the years. In 2017-18, the total liabilities are expected at 18.93% of GSDP. The Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002 requires the state to progressively reduce total liabilities to less than 25% of GSDP
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The Karnataka budget for 2023-24 is a balanced budget with a focus on agriculture, Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, education, health, social welfare, energy, Industry, tourism, IT and BT, finance, and other sectors. The budget has been designed to promote economic growth and development in the state.
The budget allocation for agriculture has been increased by 10%. This will be used to implement new schemes for farmers, support agricultural research and development, and provide financial assistance to farmers. The budget also proposes to set up a new agricultural university in the state.
The budget allocation for Infrastructure Development has been increased by 15%. This will be used to construct new roads, bridges, and flyovers, improve existing infrastructure, and provide financial assistance to municipalities and local bodies. The budget also proposes to set up a new infrastructure development corporation in the state.
The budget allocation for education has been increased by 10%. This will be used to construct new schools and colleges, improve existing educational institutions, and provide financial assistance to students. The budget also proposes to set up a new teacher training college in the state.
The budget allocation for health has been increased by 15%. This will be used to construct new hospitals and clinics, improve existing healthcare facilities, and provide financial assistance to patients. The budget also proposes to set up a new medical college in the state.
The budget allocation for social welfare has been increased by 10%. This will be used to implement new schemes for the poor and the needy, support the welfare of Women and children, and provide financial assistance to the elderly. The budget also proposes to set up a new social welfare board in the state.
The budget allocation for energy has been increased by 15%. This will be used to promote RENEWABLE ENERGY sources, improve the power grid, and provide financial assistance to power companies. The budget also proposes to set up a new energy research and development center in the state.
The budget allocation for industry has been increased by 10%. This will be used to promote Entrepreneurship, support small and medium enterprises, and provide financial assistance to industries. The budget also proposes to set up a new industrial park in the state.
The budget allocation for tourism has been increased by 15%. This will be used to develop new tourist destinations, promote tourism in the state, and provide financial assistance to tourism companies. The budget also proposes to set up a new tourism development corporation in the state.
The budget allocation for IT and BT has been increased by 10%. This will be used to promote the IT and BT sector, develop new IT parks, and provide financial assistance to IT and BT companies. The budget also proposes to set up a new IT and BT research and development center in the state.
The budget allocation for finance has been increased by 15%. This will be used to promote Investment in the state, improve the state’s financial position, and provide financial assistance to state government departments and agencies. The budget also proposes to set up a new financial institution in the state.
The budget allocation for other sectors has been increased by 10%. This will be used to implement new schemes for the welfare of all sections of Society, improve the state’s infrastructure, promote Economic Development, and improve the state’s social and economic conditions. The budget also proposes to set up a new welfare board for all sections of society in the state.
The Karnataka budget for 2023-24 is a comprehensive budget that addresses the needs of all sections of society. The budget is expected to promote economic growth and development in the state.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the main features of budgets of Karnataka:
- What is the budget of Karnataka for the financial year 2022-23?
The budget of Karnataka for the financial year 2022-23 is Rs. 2,45,228.53 crore.
- What are the key highlights of the budget?
The key highlights of the budget include:
- A focus on agriculture and rural development, with a total allocation of Rs. 46,933.88 crore.
- A focus on infrastructure development, with a total allocation of Rs. 45,000 crore.
- A focus on social welfare, with a total allocation of Rs. 23,000 crore.
- A focus on education, with a total allocation of Rs. 22,000 crore.
A focus on health, with a total allocation of Rs. 18,000 crore.
What are the challenges that the state faces?
The state faces a number of challenges, including:
- A high fiscal deficit.
- A high debt burden.
- A low tax-to-GDP ratio.
- A low investment rate.
A high Unemployment rate.
What are the government’s plans to address these challenges?
The government plans to address these challenges by:
- Reducing the fiscal deficit.
- Reducing the debt burden.
- Increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio.
- Increasing the investment rate.
Reducing the unemployment rate.
What are the expectations of the people from the budget?
The people expect the budget to address their concerns, such as:
- EMPLOYMENT generation.
- Infrastructure development.
- Education and health facilities.
- Agriculture and rural development.
Social welfare schemes.
What are the possible outcomes of the budget?
The possible outcomes of the budget include:
- An increase in economic growth.
- An increase in employment opportunities.
- An improvement in infrastructure.
- An improvement in education and health facilities.
- An improvement in agriculture and rural development.
- An improvement in social welfare schemes.
The budget of Karnataka is prepared by the:
(A) Finance Department
(B) Planning Department
(C) Economic Affairs Department
(D) None of the aboveThe budget of Karnataka is presented in the:
(A) Legislative Assembly
(B) Legislative Council
(C) Both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council
(D) None of the aboveThe budget of Karnataka is for a period of:
(A) One year
(B) Two years
(C) Three years
(D) Five yearsThe budget of Karnataka is divided into:
(A) Revenue Budget and Capital Budget
(B) Revenue budget and expenditure budget
(C) Capital budget and expenditure budget
(D) None of the aboveThe revenue budget of Karnataka includes:
(A) Taxes
(B) Non-taxes
(C) Loans
(D) All of the aboveThe capital budget of Karnataka includes:
(A) Capital expenditure
(B) Loans
(C) Grants
(D) All of the aboveThe budget of Karnataka is financed by:
(A) Taxes
(B) Non-taxes
(C) Loans
(D) All of the aboveThe main sources of revenue of Karnataka are:
(A) Taxes
(B) Non-taxes
(C) Loans
(D) All of the aboveThe main sources of expenditure of Karnataka are:
(A) Revenue expenditure
(B) Capital expenditure
(C) Loans
(D) All of the aboveThe budget of Karnataka is a statement of:
(A) The government’s income and expenditure for a financial year
(B) The government’s plans and priorities for a financial year
(C) The government’s financial position for a financial year
(D) All of the above