On Thursday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026. This legislation aims to regulate how private individuals, organizations, associations, societies, and other entities can utilize government premises and public property. The bill seeks to establish clear guidelines and restrictions to ensure proper management and use of these public assets.
The Bill seeks to regulate the use of government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets, while preventing their misuse. Kharge dismissed speculation that the legislation was intended to target any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO. “Why is everyone thinking this is to curtail or curb any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO? Beats me,” he remarked. The scheme has been formulated under the Ayushman Bharat‑Arogya Karnataka (AB‑ArK) framework. The scheme will be implemented through the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), which will coordinate beneficiary registration, premium collection, hospital administration, cashless treatment and claim management through the AB‑ArK system.
It will initially cover around 3.11 lakh State Government pensioners and their eligible dependents, taking the total number of beneficiaries to approximately 4.93 lakh. The scheme is expected to generate around Rs 117 crore annually through premium contributions, while the estimated annual treatment expenditure is Rs 81.75 crore. Of the treatment cost, 70 per cent will be borne through the beneficiaries’ share and 30 per cent by the State Government. This translates to an estimated annual contribution of Rs 57.22 crore from beneficiaries and Rs 24.53 crore from the government. Earlier reporting noted: Karnataka Cabinet Approves Public Property Bill Amid RSS Registration Row Karnataka Cabinet Approves Public Property Bill Amid RSS Registration Row Karnataka Cabinet Approves Public Property Bill Amid RSS Registration Row Earlier reporting noted: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said. The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said.
Speaking about the Cabinet decision, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the proposed legislation would provide a legal framework to safeguard and preserve government property and ensure its responsible utilisation for public benefit. Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the launch of the “Sandhya Kiran” contributory cashless healthcare scheme for State Government pensioners below 70 years of age, family pensioners and their eligible dependent family members.
