Rs 234.4-cr Kalaburagi budget flags women’s empowerment

Kalaburagi: The Kalaburagi City Corporation on Tuesday presented a Rs 234.4-crore budget for the financial year 2026–27, with a strong focus on women's empowerment, infrastructure development, and public welfare.Among the key announcements was a scheme to provide one pink auto to women beneficiaries in each of the city's 55 wards, aimed at promoting self-employment and economic independence among women. In addition, the budget has earmarked Rs 3 crore for training women to drive two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers.The special emergency budget was presented at the Indira Memorial (Town Hall) Bhavan, with mayor Varsha Rajeev Jane presiding over the meeting. The chairperson of the Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals, Anupama Ramesh Kamakanur, said the corporation had collected Rs 227 crore from various revenue sources.Based on projected revenues, an allocation of Rs 234.4 crore has been proposed for infrastructure development, public welfare schemes, and new projects. The budget reflects a deficit of around Rs 7.3 crore, considering the estimated expenditure.Under the 5% welfare fund, Rs 10 lakh has been allocated for the welfare of persons with disabilities. The budget also earmarks Rs 303.7 lakh for the maintenance of streetlights and Rs 50 lakh for the installation of streetlights for new roads. Further, Rs 76.7 lakh has been set aside for the construction of toilets and urinals, while Rs 10 lakh has been allotted for the construction of special toilets for transgender persons.An amount of Rs 50 lakh has also been provided for the development of new layouts. In addition, Rs 10 lakh has been allocated for each ward to undertake urgent development works.