The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka on Saturday, 23 May 2026 marked three years of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in office, crediting every Kannadiga for the administration's achievements and reaffirming its commitment to the promises made before the 2023 assembly elections. Posting in Kannada under the hashtag #3YearsOfNavaKarnataka, the CMO wrote: 'With the blessings of the people of the state, as we complete three years in power, we dedicate the credit for all our government's achievements to every Kannadiga.' The post added that the government has 'travelled a long distance in rebuilding a strong, prosperous and self-respecting Karnataka' and that this effort 'will be even faster and more effective going forward.'

Revenue Growth Across Three Fiscal Years

The CMO highlighted a steady rise in state revenue collection from the mining sector. Revenue stood at ₹7,321.59 crore in 2023-24, climbed to ₹7,698.97 crore in 2024-25, and reached ₹8,667.30 crore in 2025-26 — an increase of roughly 18 per cent over three years. The government presented these figures as evidence of improved fiscal management and tighter regulatory oversight in the natural-resources sector.

Regulatory Reform: E-Way Bills for Minor Minerals

A key policy step highlighted was an amendment to the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994, making it mandatory to generate e-way bills through the GST portal for the transport of minor minerals. The reform is aimed at curbing illegal transportation and improving traceability in the mining supply chain. Karnataka's minor minerals sector — covering sand, gravel, and similar materials — has historically been vulnerable to revenue leakage, and the e-way bill mandate mirrors enforcement mechanisms already in use in other Indian states.

District Mineral Foundation: Collections and Works

The post also drew attention to the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), a statutory fund that collects contributions from mining leaseholders and channels them into local development in mineral-bearing districts. In 2025-26, DMF contributions reached ₹943.46 crore. Of this, ₹376.49 crore has been spent on completing 654 works across affected districts — covering infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and community facilities in mining regions. The DMF framework, established under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, is a central instrument through which state governments are expected to return a share of mineral wealth to host communities.

What's Next for Karnataka's Mining Governance

The government signalled that its reform momentum in the mining and revenue sector will accelerate. Observers will watch the 2026-27 state budget for further allocations to DMF and any expansion of the e-way bill framework to additional mineral categories. Audit scrutiny of DMF expenditure patterns — a recurring concern in mineral-rich states nationally — will also be a benchmark for how effectively these collections translate into ground-level impact. The Nava Karnataka branding adopted by the Siddaramaiah administration positions these three-year milestones as a foundation for a broader governance narrative ahead of the next electoral cycle.