The Bharatiya Janata Party government, which formed a government for the first time in south India, presented its budget at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday. For B S Yeddyurappa, who has been a deputy chief minister and finance Minister in the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP government, it was the third budget.

The BJP presented a surplus, farmer friendly budget for Rs 18.85 crore for the year 2008-09. Emphasis was also given to Bengaluru city with Rs 36,000 crore being allocated for infrastructure development. In his budget speech, Yeddyurappa said that the main intention was to improve the image of Bengaluru and put it on the global map. For this to take place the development of infrastructure was the key.

Apart from this, Yeddyurappa also announced free power supply for irrigation pumpsets up to 10 HP, Rs 500 crore for Agriculture Revolving Fund and Rs 2 incentive per litre of milk.

Other highlights:

Comprehensive development plan and investment to improve Bengaluru infrastructure.

To distribute 60,000 BDA sites to the people of Bengaluru in the name of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.

Rs 3000 crore allocated to construct 10 flyovers in order to streamline traffic.

Rs 3000 crore for 65 km peripheral ring road.

Metro rail project gets Rs 700 crore.

Rs 250 crore to upgrade and improve roads in Bengaluru city.

Rs 5 crore for the construction of Rajkumar memorial.

Retirement age of state government employees increased from 58 years to 60.

Information technology in rural areas, government will partner with private cyber centres.

40 multi-level vehicle parking units in Bengaluru.

One-time benefit of Rs.1,000 per family to 50 lakh small and marginal farmers who were dependent totally on dry farming due to failure of rains.

Loans at three per cent interest would be given to farmers, fishermen and weavers.