Karnataka Chief Minister has announced plans to create one lakh new jobs, expand AI education and build technology hubs across the State as part of the government’s vision for a “Young Karnataka–New India”.
Speaking at his Independence Day address in Bengaluru on 15 August, Shivakumar announced the Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi schemes to boost employment and entrepreneurship. He revealed that the government is also working to fill 72,000 key vacancies, with notifications for these posts expected within six months.
Under Udyoga Nidhi, entrepreneurs in 10 economically-backward districts will receive Rs 2,500 per month for every new job created, with a target of one lakh additional jobs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be introduced in government schools from Class 6, along with the proposed AI Akshara Abhiyana and Coding Gurukula programmes. Bengaluru will get India’s first government-owned AI university, while AI hubs will support the technology ecosystem. Five global technology centres are proposed in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru. An Advanced Manufacturing Cluster in Doddaballapura has attracted Rs 20,000 crore in investment commitments and could create around one lakh jobs.
The State is targeting a $3 trillion economy by 2047. It will also use drones and satellite images for crop surveys, while small farmers will get a 50 per cent subsidy on machinery rentals.
Karnataka also plans major infrastructure expansion, including 220 km of Metro in Bengaluru, a 117-km ring road and 7,100 km of rural roads. Water security projects worth Rs 16,000 crore have been approved.
The government has proposed a state-owned Motor Vehicle Insurance Corporation to simplify insurance and speed up claims. Bengaluru’s police commissionerate will also be divided into five units.
Meanwhile, BJP leader R Ashok has sought a white paper on welfare schemes, alleging differences between the latest figures and earlier government data on Shakti and Gruha Lakshmi.
