Bengaluru, 26 Jan

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday outlined the state’s vision for a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035, while emphasising social, economic, and political democracy in his Republic Day address.

Gehlot paid tribute to freedom fighters and Dr BR Ambedkar, stressing that political democracy must evolve into social democracy rooted in liberty, equality, and fraternity. “Separating these values undermines democracy. Karnataka treats all three principles as priorities,” he said, highlighting efforts to address regional imbalances and uplift neglected communities through recruitments, commissions, and targeted interventions.

The Governor detailed Karnataka’s welfare initiatives, noting annual spending of Rs 1.12 lakh crore and Rs 1.13 lakh crore disbursed under guarantee schemes, boosting financial empowerment and women’s safety. Women-focused measures include Universal Basic Income-based schemes, ‘Akka’ task forces, paid menstrual leave, and direct benefit transfers reaching 1.37 crore families.

On infrastructure, Rs 83,200 crore has been allocated for capital expenditure in 2025-26, with Rs 1.5 lakh crore projects underway. Karnataka is prioritising sunrise sectors, including semiconductors, aerospace, communication equipment, and quantum technology, attracting major investments.

Gehlot highlighted progress in land and revenue reforms, education, healthcare, law and order, and farmer support, including crop insurance, subsidies, fair milk prices, and resolving sugarcane procurement issues. He also cited achievements in IT-BT, startups, decentralisation, power, urban-rural balance, metro expansion, and water supply.