Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, 23 May 2026 marked three years of his Congress government in office, crediting every Kannadiga for the administration's achievements and reaffirming the government's commitment to its pre-election promises under the Nava Karnataka banner.

Context

Posting in Kannada, Siddaramaiah wrote: 'ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಜನರ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದದೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು ಮೂರು ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಪೂರೈಸಿರುವ ಈ ಸಾರ್ಥಕ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ' ('On this meaningful occasion of completing three years in power with the blessings of the people of the state'). He said the credit for all of the government's achievements belongs to every Kannadiga, and expressed pride that the administration had kept every word given to the public before the elections.

The Indian National Congress swept to power in Karnataka in May 2023, winning on a platform of five social welfare guarantee schemes. Siddaramaiah, who had previously served as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018, returned to the top post and has since anchored the government's public communication around the #NavaKarnataka identity — positioning the term as a rebuilding of a 'capable, prosperous and self-respecting Karnataka.'

Policy Backdrop

The post highlights a consistent year-on-year rise in state revenue collection from the mining sector. The government reported receipts of ₹7,321.59 crore in 2023-24, rising to ₹7,698.97 crore in 2024-25, and further to ₹8,667.30 crore in 2025-26.

On the regulatory front, the government has amended the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 to make e-way bills generated through the GST portal mandatory for the transport of minor minerals. The move is aimed at tightening compliance and curbing illegal extraction — a long-standing challenge in Karnataka's mining belt. The District Mineral Foundation (DMF), a statutory fund mandated under the central Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to channel mining revenues into local development in mineral-bearing districts, collected ₹943.46 crore in 2025-26. Of this, works worth ₹376.49 crore covering 654 projects have been completed.

Stakeholders and Impact

The e-way bill mandate directly affects mining operators and transporters of minor minerals such as sand, gravel, and granite across Karnataka. By routing compliance through the existing GST portal infrastructure, the state aims to reduce revenue leakage without creating a separate administrative layer.

For residents of mineral-rich districts, the DMF corpus is the most tangible benefit — the fund is legally required to be spent on health, education, infrastructure, and livelihood support for communities affected by mining activity. The completion of 654 works under DMF signals active utilisation of the fund, though independent audits of project quality and targeting remain the standard measure of effectiveness.

What's Next

Siddaramaiah stated that the government's efforts in rebuilding Karnataka would become 'faster and more effective' going forward. The implementation status of the amended e-way bill requirement and DMF fund utilisation reports are expected to feature prominently in the next state budget presentation or assembly session. With the Congress government entering the second half of its five-year term, delivery on remaining electoral guarantees and fiscal management will be the key benchmarks opposition parties and civil society are likely to scrutinise.