Wed Dec 04 01:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka to Boost Funding for Disabled, Elderly After Budget Cut Backlash

**Bengaluru, December 4, 2024** – The Karnataka state government will significantly increase funding for the Department of Empowerment of Differently-Abled and Senior Citizens, allocating an additional ₹44 crore in supplementary budget estimates. This follows recent criticism over a drastic reduction in the department’s budget for 2024-25, which had been slashed from ₹55 crore in 2023-24 to just ₹10 crore.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also heads the Finance Department, announced the increased allocation during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The additional funding will bring the total allocation for the department back to ₹54 crore.

The government also symbolically launched a new program providing a ₹1,000 monthly allowance for caregivers of persons with disabilities, as promised in the 2024-25 budget. Furthermore, CM Siddaramaiah stated that the state will petition the Union government for a rise in the monthly allowance provided to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Currently, allowances range from ₹800 to ₹2,000 depending on the severity of disability.

A comprehensive guide detailing the rights and opportunities available to disabled individuals in Karnataka, along with a braille calendar for 2025, were also launched at the event. Fifteen outstanding individuals with disabilities were honored with state awards in recognition of their achievements in sports, education, and culture. The event, aligned with the UN’s 2024 theme of amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities, emphasized the importance of self-advocacy within this community.

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