Karnataka Chief Minister Proposes Professional Tax Hike in 2025 Budget

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah introduced two amendment bills in the state's Assembly. The first bill proposes hiking the professional tax for high-income earners, while the second amends the functioning of the Karnataka Public Service Commission, detailing procedures for candidates' interviews and decision recording by the commission.

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday unveiled the Karnataka Tax on Profession, Trades, Callings, and Employments (Amendment) Bill, aiming to raise the professional tax for salaried workers earning Rs 25,000 and above from Rs 2,400 to Rs 2,500 annually. This proposal is part of the State Budget 2025-26, which was introduced in the Assembly.

The Chief Minister also presented the Karnataka Public Service Commission (Conduct of Business and Additional Functions) (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The amendment allows any member of the Commission authorized to conduct interviews for candidate appointments to preside over the board. However, for recruitment of gazetted probationers, interviews must adhere to prescribed procedures.

Additionally, the amendment mandates that all decisions made by the Commission be recorded by the secretary, with provision for members to record their dissent and justification for any disagreement.

(With inputs from agencies.)