Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present his maiden budget in March first week.

Announcing this to press-persons after the Cabinet meeting held here on Thursday, Bommai said that the Joint Session of the State Legislature will be held from Feb.14 to 25. Pointing out that the Assembly polls is still about 15 months away, he said that he will have time to implement the budgetary declarations.

As Bommai Government completed 6 months on Jan.28, a booklet on Government’s achievements was released on Friday. The book also contains future programmes of the Government.

Replying to a question on when the Cabinet expansion or reshuffle would take place, Bommai said that he has spoken to the BJP high command on the issue. He was ready to go to Delhi whenever summoned for consultation, he added.

‘Swamitwa’ project

Law Minister J.C. Madhuswamy said that the Government’s ambitious ‘Swamitwa’ project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs.287 crore. Maintaining that the survey for the project  will be carried out by private agencies in accordance with KTPP (Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements) Act, he said that the Centre has provided 5 drones for the purpose.

Stating that the Cabinet has approved the appointment of 400 veterinary doctors,  Madhuswamy said that there were 800 vacancies in Animal Husbandry Department and all these will be filled up  in stages.

Madhuswamy said that some of the other Cabinet decisions taken included sanction of Rs.97.50 crore for establishment of 6,000 smart classes in 430 degree, 14 Engineering and 87 Polytechnic Colleges run by the Government and allotment of Rs. 93.27 crore for distribution of uniforms to students of Class 1 to 10 in Government     schools in 2022-23 under ‘Vidyavikasa’ scheme.