On Wednesday, July 10, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state budget in the Assembly. She made a series of announcements, including the proposal to allocate Rs 100 crores for the re-development of Khatu Sham Ji Mandir, one of the most revered Krishna temples in the state. She also announced plans to construct the Khatushyam Corridor, modelled after the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, to enhance the infrastructure and facilities around this Hindu pilgrimage site.
Besides, the Rajasthan government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also proposed to carry out renovation work in 600 other Temples, including Jeenmata and Shakambari temples in Sikar. A total of Rs 13 crore has been allocated for the renovation of these Temples.
Besides focusing on the re-development of Temples, the state budget also had a lot to offer to the women, youths and farmers of the state.
Initiatives for women
Aiming to financially empower women across the state, the Rajasthan government announced the “Lakhpati Didi Yojana”. Under this initiative, as many as 15 lakh women in Rajasthan will be provided interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh to start their businesses and improve their economic condition.
Additionally, the state government has in its budget reduced VAT on cooking gas and CNG from 14.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
In the budget, the Deputy CM also committed to providing tap water to 25 lakh rural homes this year and for this, the state govt has allocated a budget of 15000 crore.
Along with Biopink toilets for women in urban areas, 67 Pink Toilets—at a cost of Rs. 17 crore—will be built in the first phase, she said.
Initiatives taken for the youth of the state
For the youths of the state, Deputy CM Diya Kumari proposed a new ‘Youth Policy-2024’ and announced apprenticeship/internship programmes and Artificial Intelligence-based counselling for over 1.5 lakh youth.
As part of a larger plan to fight unemployment and provide the youths of the state with more possibilities, a commitment to create 4 lakh new jobs over the next five years was made.
Furthermore, arrangements have been made for Atal Udyam Yojana for the youth. Rs 25 crore has been announced for startups.
Ajmer, Bikaner, and Bharatpur engineering institutions will combine to form the Rajasthan Institute of Technology, a 300 million rupee project. At Rs 350 crore, basic amenities like restrooms and libraries would be built in schools, the Deputy Chief Minister announced.
Rajasthan Govt’s support to farmers
The state is committed to developing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to bring Yamuna water to Rajasthan via an underground pipeline and has allocated Rs 60 crore for this project.
The State govt also spoke about expanding the Rasidpura Mandi in Sikar and setting up sprinkler irrigation facilities in 33,000 hectares of the Chaudhary Kumbharam Arya Lift Canal area, a Rs 200 crore project.
In the budget, the MSP for wheat was increased by Rs 125 and the agriculture sector received financial approval for the first phase of the ERCP.
Other key takeaways
The Rajasthan Government announced that a Rs 200 crore Amrit Global Technology and Application Center will be built in Jaipur.
Electricity connections will be provided to 2,08,000 households in the next two years, with over 25 lakh smart meters installed.
In the budget, the government announced its plans to purchase 500 roadway buses and 300 electric buses. It further said that 800 buses would operate under a service model.
A defence manufacturing hub will be established, and a new data centre policy will be introduced.
Among the solar energy projects, the government proposed the construction of a 2 MW decentralized solar plant, the creation of a Model Solar Village in each district, and the solarization of all government buildings.
Dy CM further said that Rajasthan plans to construct nine greenfield expressways covering over 2,750 km.
The health sector received a budget allocation of Rs 27,000 crore.
Under a new tourism policy, the Deputy CM proposed setting up the state tourism development board as well as a heritage conservation board to develop archaeological places and heritage sites.
Rajasthan Mandapam will be developed on the lines of the Bharat Mandapam of Delhi.
Deputy CM Kumari further said that a ‘PM Unity Mall’ will be built in Jaipur to promote ODOP (one district one product). A budget of ₹ 100 crore has been allocated for this.
Also, a Rs 200-crore corpus fund will be created as an e-vehicle Promotion Fund under the Electric Vehicle Policy, she added.
The government estimates that it will receive Rs 2.64 lakh crore in income, spend Rs 2.90 lakh crore in revenue, and have a revenue deficit of Rs 25,758 crore in the budget. The fiscal deficit is estimated at 3.93 per cent of the GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product).
