CM Shivakumar’s first Cabinet decisions: Free bus passes, jobs push and ₹2,000 crore Bengaluru plan

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a set of key welfare and administrative decisions shortly after taking oath and chairing his first Cabinet meeting in Bengaluru. The measures focus on students, youth employment, infrastructure development and governance reforms.

One of the major decisions is the introduction of free bus passes for students. The facility will allow students to travel free of cost on non-luxury government buses across the state. The move is aimed at easing transportation costs for students and improving access to education.

The state government also announced plans to establish a private employment exchange to connect job seekers with potential employers. Shivakumar said the modalities for the system will be finalised within a month, and the initiative is expected to function alongside a recruitment calendar for government vacancies.

As part of its youth-focused initiatives, the government also announced plans to set up 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sangha units across Karnataka. These groups are intended to promote leadership development and social harmony at the grassroots level. Each unit will receive financial support, with allocations of ₹10 lakh per village panchayat as part of the programme.

The Cabinet also decided to extend the A-Khata initiative across the state, covering unauthorised buildings to streamline property documentation and regularisation processes. Officials said this is aimed at improving urban governance and record management.

Infrastructure development in Bengaluru also featured in the decisions, with approval of a ₹2,000 crore outlay for road works across areas under the Greater Bengaluru Authority and Bengaluru Development Authority.

Shivakumar also addressed administrative priorities, including measures to prevent migration from rural areas and improve employment opportunities within villages. He said the government would release a structured recruitment calendar and coordinate with departments to ensure timely filling of vacancies.

The Chief Minister also appealed for responsible media reporting, stating that constructive criticism is welcome but misinformation should be avoided. He emphasised coordinated functioning among institutions of governance for effective administration.

The announcements come shortly after Shivakumar assumed office as Karnataka’s Chief Minister following his swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru, along with his Council of Ministers.