Udupi – Women and Child Development Minister and Udupi District In-charge Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar announced that Karnataka now holds the highest per capita income in India for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the 79th Independence Day celebration in Ajjarkad’s Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium, she credited sound fiscal management for this achievement. She also highlighted Karnataka’s second-place ranking in GST collections as proof of economic strength.
Recalling history, the Minister said Mahatma Gandhi once visited Udupi, urging locals to join the freedom struggle—a call answered by citizens across communities.
Hebbalkar shared that 82.57 lakh people receive monthly pensions directly via Aadhaar-linked DBT transfers. Farmers affected by natural disasters now get compensation credited straight to their accounts, thanks to upgraded software. Land records, long delayed, are being fully digitized for easy public access.
Under the Grihalakshmi scheme, ₹47,400 crore has been distributed to 1.23 crore women statewide, with ₹870.83 crore benefiting 2.25 lakh women in Udupi district. Plans are underway to introduce pre-primary classes in 10,000 Anganwadi centres, starting with 4,000–5,000 this year.
She announced a ₹151 crore saltwater dam under the Paschim Vahini project to irrigate 192.52 hectares of farmland. Proposals include upgrading Udupi Municipality to metropolitan status and developing new industrial zones over 1,200 acres.
The Minister also honoured minority students excelling in SSLC and PUC exams, launched new Indira Canteens, and stressed tourism growth.