“Rajasthan Budget prepared to take entire state forward”: Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 11 (ANI): A day after the Rajasthan Budget was presented in the state assembly for the financial year 2024-25, Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the budget was prepared for the overall development of the state and that it would take it forward in all aspects.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Rathore said, “This is a budget for the overall development of Rajasthan. This is a budget for the poor, youth, and women, and to take the entire state forward in every way.”

“Youth policy, start-up, industry, and skill development have been taken for the youth. We will organise the Khelo Rajasthan program every year on the lines of Khelo India for the youth. We have kept a roadmap of how to move forward in every field,” he said.

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state budget on Wednesday while outlining the action plan developed by the BJP government under Amrit Kalkhand to transform the state into a developed state by 2047.

The estimated revenue of the state for the financial year 2024-25 is Rs 2.64 lakh crore, while the estimated expenditure is Rs 2.90 lakh crore.

The key highlights of the budget include proposals for the development of basic amenities like water, electricity, and roads; human resource development and planned development of rural and urban areas with sustainable development; empowerment of farmer families with respect, development of MSMEs as well along with big industries; heritage conservation with the idea of heritage development; green Rajasthan; health for all; providing social security to deprived families; and establishing good governance with perform, reform and transform.

The major highlights of the budget for infrastructure are that the government will develop nine “Green Field Motorways” of more than 2,750 kilometres and construct a road network of 53,000 kilometres in a span of 5 years, for which the estimated expenditure is Rs 60,000 crore.

Kumari proposed a Lok Parivahan Sewa to be started to improve connectivity in the state.

In a significant step towards developing drinking water facilities, the Rajasthan government has launched the Amrut 2.0 scheme, under which Rs 5,180 crore will be allocated to 183 settlements.

The budget also prioritises job creation for youths, focuses on renewable energy, and improves connectivity in rural areas. To encourage athleticism in the state, Kumari proposed that the government bring a “Sports Life Insurance Scheme” of approximately Rs 25 lakh.

The government has emphasised its focus on providing electricity to each house and agricultural field with a quote from “Har Ghar-Har Khet Bijli.”

The government has also announced plans to develop the famous tourist and religious site Khatu Shyam with an allocation of Rs 100 crore.

Additionally, it includes investments in electrification, and education, along with the introduction of a new sports policy to promote athletic development in the state.

Earlier on Tuesday, State Finance Minister Diya Kumari said that the budget has been prepared while keeping all the sections in mind.

“A double-engine government has been formed in the state, so we will try our best to live up to the expectations of the people. Good work has been done on the budget. There are big announcements for every section,” she said.

The budget presentation followed the recent Lok Sabha elections, in which the BJP lost 11 out of 25 seats.

BJP leader Rajendra Rathore says, “The vision of Rajasthan’s development till 2047 has been presented through this budget. The biggest capital expenditure to date will result in the creation of assets. If about 44 thousand crore rupees are spent on Rajasthan’s infrastructure, then Rajasthan will be transformed into an advanced state. The work of laying its strong foundation has been done.”