Karnataka CM Shivakumar Launches Welfare, Youth Initiatives

BENGALURU: In his first set of decisions after taking charge, Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a series of welfare and youth-focused initiatives, including free bus passes for students from school to postgraduate level. The chief minister also announced the setting up of a private employment exchange covering all sectors, which will also provide training to job aspirants to improve employability and skill development. As part of his broader youth engagement plan, Shivakumar said the government will establish 10,000 youth clubs across the state. Each club will be allocated Rs 10 lakh to promote sports, cultural activities, and leadership development among young people. The announcements are being seen as a major push towards education accessibility, employment generation, and youth empowerment in Karnataka. Earlier, the chief minister and the deputy chief minister, along with 12 other prominent party leaders—including KH Muniyappa, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Eshwara Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil—took their oaths on Wednesday. Following the oath-taking ceremony, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi upon arriving at Vidhana Soudha for the first time as the Chief Minister of the state. While the cabinet includes several experienced ministers returning to office under Shivakumar, the highlight is the induction of Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who makes his debut in the state cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders, religious heads, and dignitaries from across the country.