At 4,748.80 crore, the 15 per cent sectoral allocation for urban development is the highest sectoral allocation in the state Budget presented on Friday; others beat it only in combinations like agriculture, rural development and irrigation.

About Rs 600 crore is proposed to be spent on specific development programmes in the urban local bodies beginning this year. The government proposes to spend Rs 1,000 crore annually for the development of large, medium and small towns.

About 50,000 houses for the houseless ubran dweller have been promised at a unit price of Rs 1.25 lakh; while the middle class urban dweller will be served by the ‘Namma Mane’ housing scheme.

The government has proposed GIS mapping of properties in 10 cities. The work is currently on in 5 cities.

The urban development policy that the government has been working on over the last few months. There is no mention of urban reforms per se - not even the expected urban propety title certification scheme. The train of government’s thoughts is left to be gathered from the academic push to urban development and the plans to go in for GIS mapping of properties in some 10 more cities.

A sum of Rs 5 crore is mentioned for a post graduate study centre on urban development under the Vishweshwaraiah Technological University. Dr A Ravindra the Urban Affars Advisor to chief minister said that it is envisaged as a capicity building exercise.

Mukhyamantri Nagarothana Yogane seems to come as a parallel state-level programme to the National Urban Renewal Mission.

Chief minister has promised to increase the allocation for Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the ULBs based on the recommendation of the Third State Finance Commission and a total of Rs 920 crore is allotted for housing programmes.