Jaipur : Bumper announcements have been made in the annual budget of the Rajasthan government. Bhajan Lal government has promised to give four lakh government jobs in the next five years. It has been announced to provide tap water to 25 lakh houses, build nine new (greenfield) expressways, reduce value added tax (VAT) on PNG/CNG to 10 percent and give interest-free short-term crop loan of Rs 23,000 crore to farmers. Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the budget with the goal of inclusive development in the assembly on Wednesday. She has estimated revenue receipts of Rs 2 lakh 64 thousand 461 crore 29 lakh in the budget estimates of the financial year. In the budget speech, Diya Kumari said that it is also proposed to test the concept of ‘One State-One Election’ with a view to empowerment of urban bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions.
The budget will prove to be a milestone- Chief Minister
After presenting the budget, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma told the media, “The budget will prove to be a milestone in realizing the concept of ‘Apna Agrani Rajasthan’.” Finance Minister Diya Kumari said that the budget has set a target of inclusive development based on ‘Sarvajan Hitaay’ by preparing a five-year action plan under Amrit Kaalkhand-‘Developed Rajasthan / 2047’. The action plan has 10 resolutions for the future. The resolutions include making the state an economy of 350 billion, development of basic amenities like water and electricity and economic empowerment of farmer families with respect. Diya Kumari said that as soon as the Bhajan Lal government took charge, it has started the work of implementing the promises made to the public. Even after the implementation of the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, action has been completed on more than 53 percent of the budget announcements and 45 points of the resolution letter in a short period.
It is worth noting that Diya Kumari had presented the vote on account (interim budget) on February 8 before the Lok Sabha elections. In the budget presented today, the minister has proposed to keep Rs 27,660 crore for the health sector. She also announced several new policies including industrial policy, youth policy, tourism policy, data center policy and sports policy.
‘Resolve to recruit four lakh people in five years’
Announcing the recruitments, Diya Kumari said, “Our government is sensitive towards the secure future of the youth. While presenting the budget, we had announced recruitments for about 70 thousand posts. During our tenure, about 20 thousand youth were given employment.” She said, “We have resolved to make four lakh recruitments in five years and it is proposed to increase this year’s target to recruit more than one lakh posts.”
He said, “We will provide employment to the youth by conducting recruitment examinations every year in a timely manner.” He said, “I announce the provision of more than 10 lakh employment opportunities in the government and private sectors along with skill upgradation.”
He said that the state government has set a target of providing tap water to 25 lakh rural households by spending Rs 15 thousand crore this year under ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’. For the first time in the state, construction of nine greenfield expressways of a length of more than 2,750 km is proposed. The proposed expressways are Jaipur-Kishangarh-Ajmer-Jodhpur, Kotputli-Kishangarh, Jaipur-Bhilwara, Bikaner-Kotputli, Beawar-Bharatpur, Jalore-Jhalawar, Ajmer-Banswara, Jaipur-Phalodi and Ganganagar-Kotputli. He announced the launch of ‘Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee District Upliftment Scheme’ by making a provision of Rs 500 crore.
The Finance Minister announced provision of Rs. 200 crore for infrastructure for the underprivileged population in villages with a population of more than 10,000 under the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana, increasing the target set for this year under the ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’ from five lakh to 15 lakh, increasing the current maximum limit of gratuity for government employees from 20 lakh to 25 lakh rupees, getting work done with Rs. 100 crore to provide grandeur to Khatushyamji, issuing about one lakh 45 thousand agricultural electricity connections this year, giving interest-free short-term crop loan of Rs. 23 thousand crore.
He announced to provide free tablets with internet to 33 thousand meritorious students who secured merit in various board examinations. The minister said that steps have been taken to prevent incidents of paper leak. A target of planting seven crore saplings has been set in the budget. Incorporating the principle of ‘green growth’ in various development schemes, it has been announced to present ‘green budget’ from next year, to do special decorations and aarti programs in about 600 temples on various festivals, to establish a defense manufacturing center.
With a view to encourage ‘green growth’, he announced that the prevailing VAT rate on CNG/PNG would be reduced from 14.5 percent to 10 percent. He said that it is proposed to set up bio/pink toilet complexes for women in a phased manner in markets and public places in all urban areas of the state.
He informed that in the budget estimates for the financial year 2024-25, revenue receipts of Rs 2 lakh 64 thousand 461 crore 29 lakh, revenue expenditure of Rs 2 lakh 90 thousand 219 crore 40 lakh, revenue deficit of Rs 25 thousand 758 crore 11 lakh and Rs 70 thousand nine crore 47 lakh (3.93 percent of GSDP) are estimated. An outlay of Rs 4.95 lakh crore is proposed for the financial year 2025.
Diya Kumari said that with a view to empowerment of urban bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions, it is also proposed to test the concept of ‘One State One Election’. Talking to the media, Chief Minister Sharma praised the budget. He said that all sections including women, youth, farmers and the poor have been supported in the budget. Sharma said that the eight crore people of the state have full faith in the BJP government. The government is committed to live up to the trust. He assured that the state government will fulfill every promise made in the Sankalp Patra.
It is worth noting that Kirori Lal Meena was not present when the budget was presented. He has announced his resignation from the post of cabinet minister. However, his resignation has not been officially accepted. During the presentation of the budget, Congress MLAs created a ruckus for some time. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was also not present in the House.
