Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has ensured a total outlay of Rs 38,845 crore for women, both direct and indirect benefits.Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the Bhagyalakshmi scheme, while Rs 12.5 crore is for promoting Stree Shakti Groups, which includes mobile vans for sale of their products. Nutrition expenses of children in anganwadis are proposed to be increased by 15 per cent and administrative efforts will be made to ensure proper and efficient utilisation of the outlay of Rs 795 crore for the nutrition programme.
The budget mentions setting up of a job placement cell for physically challenged persons, but no allocation has been made for this. Allocation for activities of Bala Bhavan is being increased to Rs 5 crore.
Stamp duty reduced
Those buying property and entering into joint development agreement can heave a sigh with the reduction in stamp duty. Aiming at revenue realisation of Rs 4,800 crore for the current fiscal from the stamps and registration department, the stamp duty has been slashed to 5% from 6% on conveyance or sale deed.
The budget has also reduced stamp duty to 1% (subject to a maximum of Rs 15 lakh) on the market value of the property in respect of Joint Development Agreement and Power of Attorney (GPA). This will help give a boost to the construction industry. Certain changes in new levies and rationalisation of tax structures should result in widening of the tax base and growth of small businesses.