Bengaluru: Jobs for youngsters, artificial intelligence (AI), public safety, and a major infrastructure and environmental push for Bengaluru formed the centrepiece of DK Shivakumar’s maiden Independence Day address as chief minister Saturday, as he unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at preparing Karnataka’s young population for the next phase of economic growth while strengthening Bengaluru as the state’s economic and technology capital.Hoisting the Tricolour at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground during the state-level celebrations marking India’s 80th Independence Day, Shivakumar put youth aspirations at the centre of his address, announcing programmes to equip youngsters with skills suited to evolving industry requirements.Stating that “Yuva Karnataka, Nava Bharat” would be his guiding motto, Shivakumar said investing in youngsters was essential to building a stronger Karnataka. “Neither I nor my govt is satisfied with what has already been achieved. The focus would now be on shaping the present to prepare Karnataka for the future,” he said.CM’s Jobs MissionSeeking to expand employment opportunities across sectors, Shivakumar announced the CM’s Jobs Mission, reiterating govt’s commitment to filling vacant posts. “The recruitment process for 72,000 key vacancies across departments has commenced, with notifications for all the posts expected within the next six months,” he said.Govt will also launch Yuva Udyoga Setu, a digital platform connecting job seekers, employers and educational institutions. Around 100 govt ITIs will be transformed into employment-oriented campuses in partnership with industries, with an initial target of creating employment opportunities for 10,000 youngsters. Under Udyoga Nidhi, entrepreneurs creating jobs in the state’s 10 most backward districts will receive an incentive of Rs 2,500 per new job every month for two years. The scheme aims to generate one lakh jobs.Coding & AI universityAI will form another major pillar of govt’s growth strategy. Shivakumar announced plans for a govt-driven AI university in Bengaluru, aimed at strengthening AI education, research, innovation, and industry collaboration. He said AI certificate courses would begin at the university by Jan 2027, while the state would develop a wider AI ecosystem to equip its workforce with skills needed for emerging technologies.Acknowledging that the emerging era belonged to youngsters, Shivakumar said govt was designing initiatives to help them compete globally. “We’re designing a wide range of initiatives to prepare today’s youth to compete successfully on the global stage and shape a new future for themselves,” he said, adding that govt will soon launch ‘AI Akshara Abhiyana’ and ‘Coding Gurukul’, with free special classes to provide students with an opportunity to learn AI and coding skills.Putting safety firstAlongside the youth and technology agenda, Shivakumar announced a major overhaul of policing in Bengaluru. The city police commissionerate will be reorganised into five commissionerates, with new police stations to be established wherever necessary.The move, Shivakumar said, would strengthen law and order and bring policing closer to Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding neighbourhoods. A dedicated anti-rowdy squad will also be constituted to crack down on anti-social elements and create a fear-free environment for citizens.Sustainable makeoverTo tackle pollution and environmental pressures arising from traffic and rapid urbanisation, govt will develop five tree parks modelled on Lalbagh, the CM promised.The state also plans to rejuvenate seven lakes to improve groundwater recharge and strengthen Bengaluru’s drinking water security. The waterbodies identified are Hesaraghatta, Bettada Kote, Hoskote, Ele Mallappa Shetty, Bannerghatta, Bagalur, and Byramangala.These announcements come alongside govt’s larger Bengaluru development agenda, with Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth of infrastructure projects that have already been taken up across the city, including Phase III of Namma Metro and the long-pending Peripheral Ring Road project, now revived as the 117km Bengaluru Business Corridor.For farmers whose land is acquired for the project, govt has announced a compensation package comprising cash compensation, TDR, developed residential and commercial sites, and Floor Area Ratio benefits.
