Hours after taking oath, DK Shivakumar unveils road, housing and jobs push for Karnataka

The announcements included a Rs 2,000-crore package for Bengaluru's roads, a plan to regularise certain unauthorised properties in the city, a recruitment drive for 50,000 government posts and a new employment initiative targeting young job seekers.

Rs 2,000 crore for Bengaluru's roads

Among the biggest announcements was a commitment to improve Bengaluru's road infrastructure.

The state government plans to divert Rs 2,000 crore towards repairing and upgrading roads in the IT hub, which has long struggled with potholes, traffic congestion and infrastructure bottlenecks despite its status as India's technology capital.

The move is expected to address one of the most common grievances of Bengaluru residents and businesses.

Relief for property owners

Shivakumar also announced measures aimed at addressing Bengaluru's long-running issue of unauthorised constructions and deviations from approved building plans.

"Houses have been constructed in Bengaluru without proper planning. There are court orders restricting the provision of electricity and water connections to such properties," the Chief Minister said.

He announced that Completion Certificates (CC) and Occupancy Certificates (OC) would be issued for certain eligible properties and that a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme would be introduced for properties measuring up to 2,500 square feet.

DK Shivakumar announced a series of measures hours after his oath as Karnataka CM. Photo: Official Facebook.

Those who have already submitted applications will also be allowed to avail of the scheme, he said.

The move comes amid ongoing efforts by civic authorities to enforce court orders that restrict utility connections to buildings that violate sanctioned plans.

50,000 government jobs in the pipeline

In a major announcement for job seekers, Shivakumar said his government would work towards filling 50,000 vacancies across departments.

"By the next cabinet meeting we will discuss the process, notification about jobs and release a calendar," he said.

The recruitment drive is expected to be one of the government's key initiatives as it seeks to address unemployment concerns among young people.

Private employment exchange planned

The Chief Minister also outlined plans for a private employment exchange programme aimed at connecting job seekers with opportunities in the private sector.

"Karnataka is a human resource capital. No other state has human resources like us," Shivakumar said.

Under the proposed programme, young people seeking jobs will be registered and assessed based on their career interests.

The government plans to facilitate skill development and training before connecting them with private employers.

"We will enrol youngsters looking for jobs and ask them what sort of job they need. We will train them, prepare them and ensure they get a job," he said.

However, Shivakumar added that preference would be given to candidates from Karnataka.

Free bus passes, youth clubs announced

The government also announced free bus passes for students as part of its outreach to young people.

In addition, Shivakumar unveiled plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuvaka Sanghas across Karnataka.

Describing the initiative as one that is "close to my heart", he said the government would provide Rs 10 lakh to each unit.

The clubs are expected to focus on sports, culture, history and leadership development among young people.

Focus shifts from politics to governance

Shivakumar's announcements came on the same day he took oath as Chief Minister, ending a prolonged leadership tussle within the Congress that had dominated Karnataka politics for nearly two years.

Rahul Gandhi attended DK Shivakumar's oath ceremony on Wednesday. Photo: Official Facebook.

He was sworn in alongside a 13-member cabinet, with G Parameshwara taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister.

The early policy announcements are being viewed as an attempt by the new administration to quickly shift the focus from political transition to governance, while addressing concerns over infrastructure, employment and urban development.