The Karnataka government approved a total of ₹38.25 lakh for the swearing‑in ceremony of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and cabinet ministers. The outlay was passed through a supplementary Appropriation Bill amid protests from the BJP.

  • Total ceremony cost: ₹38.25 lakh
  • Funds covered CM, Deputy CM and ministers
  • Approved during BJP protests via supplementary bill

Breakdown of the Expenditure

The Karnataka administration allocated ₹38.25 lakh for the oath‑taking of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and the cabinet. This amount was part of a larger supplementary Appropriation Bill amounting to ₹7,028.97 crore, which also includes a central assistance component of ₹2,648.38 crore.

Other Major Outlays in the Bill

Additional allocations included ₹1.2 crore for reimbursing medical expenses of former minister D. Sudhakar, ₹19.50 lakh for repairs to the Kumarakrupa Guest House (now the CM’s office), and ₹60 lakh for construction and renovation of the Kumarakrupa Annex residential quarters. A ₹5 crore event in Tumakuru was earmarked to distribute benefits under guarantee schemes, while new vehicles for the Legislative Assembly Speaker and the Opposition Chief Whip were allocated ₹33 lakh and ₹31 lakh respectively.

Read Also:Maharashtra Political Crisis: Sanjay Raut Slams Sharad Pawar Over Meeting with Eknath Shinde

Political Context

The spending decision came amid protests by the BJP, which questioned the government's fiscal priorities. The Congress‑led government also defended the allocation of approximately ₹2,914 crore to the newly launched Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), a scheme replacing the earlier Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Broader Fiscal and Social Initiatives

Facing a drought‑like situation, the state sought ₹288 crore for emergency drinking‑water projects in rural areas. The newly announced Bharat Jodo Yuva Sangha received a budget of ₹791 crore, and an additional ₹1,000 crore was released for road‑infrastructure development, including ward roads under the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Bangalore Development Authority.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that high‑profile ceremonial spending, especially amid fiscal constraints and political protests, signals the government's attempt to project stability while risking public criticism over resource allocation.

"Spending over ₹38 lakh on a single ceremony is unusual and reflects a political calculus to showcase legitimacy," said finance analyst Anjali Mehta.
Did You Know?: The previous Karnataka chief minister’s oath ceremony cost roughly ₹12 lakh, less than a third of the current outlay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Was this expense taken from the regular state budget?

Ans: No, it was financed through the supplementary Appropriation Bill’s additional estimates.

Q2: Could the opposition challenge this spending?

Ans: The BJP has already framed it as politically motivated and may raise further objections in the legislature.