Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the interim budget of the Bhajan Lal government. A plethora of announcements were made in this budget. However, there was an air of disappointment among the people as several expected announcements remained unfulfilled.
The reason for this is that there was no mention of reducing VAT on prices of petrol and diesel.
However, Diya Kumari said at the beginning of the budget that the public had given her the mandate by expressing confidence in good governance and making Rajasthan a leading developed state. The entire government is making efforts to give shape to the concept of developed and advanced Rajasthan.
Key announcements from the budget include:
Infrastructure Development: Allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the establishment or upgradation of colleges, schools, hospitals, and administrative offices in areas lacking these facilities. Additional provision of Rs 1,500 crore in the State Road Fund for road upgradation and construction.
Electricity Department: Implementation of Invit/ToT in Broadcasting Corporation, Business Plan, and Resource Adequacy Plan for power companies/corporations. Creation of a Project Monitoring Unit for Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, targeting solar plants on over 5 lakh houses with free electricity up to 300 units per month.
Transport: Purchase of 500 electric buses for inter-state and city transport. Expansion of Jaipur Metro along Tonk Road via Sitapura, Ambabadi, and the preparation of a DPR for Vidyadhar Nagar.
Jal Jeevan Mission and ERCP: Provision for tap water to 25 lakh rural families under Jal Jeevan Mission. Inclusion of ERCP project in river linking projects with an increased budget of approximately Rs 45,000 crore.
Forest, Wildlife, and Environment: Development of 5 lakh water harvesting structures in 20 thousand villages under Chief Minister Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan 2.0. Distribution of 4 crore saplings under the Tree Outside Forest program. Rs 300 crore allocated for Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project.
Agriculture: Rs 2,000 crore provision in Rajasthan Agriculture Infra Mission for farm ponds, irrigation pipelines, fencing, and vermicompost units. Distribution of maize, millet, mustard, moong, jowar, and moth seeds to farmers. Launch of Gopal Credit Scheme providing interest-free short-term loans to cattle-rearing families.
Youth and Students: Recruitment on 70 thousand posts, the establishment of Yuva Sathi Centers for employment-related activities, annual recruitment examination calendar for various commissions, free education for students from low-income families, small/marginal/sharecropper farmers, and agricultural labourers.
Women and Girls Welfare: ‘Laado Protsahan Yojana’ provides a savings bond of one lakh rupees for girls born into economically disadvantaged families. ‘Lakhpati Didi Yojana’ for economic empowerment of women. Increase in the amount of ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana’ to Rs 6,500.
Health and Wellness: Inclusion of Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana in the State Health Insurance Scheme. Deployment of 25 advanced life support ambulances for road accident emergencies.
Workers and Pensioners: Two years of exemption for DCPS for promotion. Digital availability of salary and PF details on a mobile app. Online issuance of pension benefits and family pension approvals. Digital life certificates for pensioners.
Police: Creation of a Rs 200 crore fund for police modernization. Establishment of cyber helpdesks and Anti-Romeo Squads in police stations. Installation of CCTV cameras under ‘Laadli Suraksha Yojana.’
Meesa Bandiya Law: Enforcement of ‘Rajasthan Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi Adhiniyam’ for the unrestricted pension of Meesa/DIAR detainees.
Temples and Museums: Development work in 20 temples, including Govind Dev Ji-Jaipur and Maangarh Dham-Banswara, with a budget of Rs 300 crore. Upgradation of 10 major museums and establishment of a public gallery in State Archives, Bikaner.
The interim budget covers a wide range of sectors, aiming to boost infrastructure, agriculture, education, and welfare programs while incorporating measures for environmental conservation and police modernization.
Amnesty schemes introduced for entrepreneurship and investment The interim budget for the Bhajanlal government includes several amnesty schemes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, investment, and development, effective until July 31, 2024.
1. VAT Amnesty
2. Stamp Duty Amnesty
3. Transport Amnesty for Vehicle Owners
4. Energy Department Amnesty
5. Ease of Doing Business Measures
6. Revision of Duties and Faceless Management
7. E-driving license, e-registration certificate system implementation
8. Abolition of mandi duty and land tax