Rajasthan's Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state's full budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on Wednesday, with a significant outlay of Rs 4.95 lakh crore. Key highlights include the recruitment of 4 lakh personnel over the next five years, the development of nine greenfield expressways, and a reduction in value-added tax on cooking gas and CNG from 14.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
Major Allocations and Initiatives
The budget earmarks Rs 27,000 crore for the health sector and Rs 15,000 crore to provide tap water to 25 lakh rural households. Additionally, the construction of women's toilets at public places was announced, reflecting a commitment to improving public amenities.
Earlier this year, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Kumari had presented an interim budget with an outlay of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for the first four months of FY25.
Financial Estimates
The budget estimates revenue receipts at Rs 2.64 lakh crore and revenue expenditure at Rs 2.90 lakh crore, resulting in a revenue deficit of Rs 25,258 crore. The fiscal deficit is projected at 3.93% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Sectoral Focus and Development Goals
Kumari announced several policies targeting industries, youth, tourism, data centers, garment and apparel, warehousing and logistics, and sports. The budget proposes providing electricity connections to 2 lakh households and allocates Rs 100 crore for a corridor at Khatu Shyam temple. The formation of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Board and a target of planting 7 crore trees were also highlighted.
The government plans to integrate 'green growth' principles into development schemes from the next budget, alongside initiatives like the Rajasthan Krishi Vikas Yojna, and establishing a defense manufacturing hub.
Vision for 2047
Kumari outlined a vision for a "developed Rajasthan by 2047" with ten resolutions, including making the state a $350 billion economy, developing infrastructure, improving amenities, and promoting agricultural growth and farmers' welfare.
Infrastructure Development
For the first time, the state will see the construction of nine greenfield expressways spanning over 2,750 kilometers. These include routes such as Jaipur-Kishangarh-Ajmer-Jodhpur, Kotputli-Kishangarh, and Jaipur-Bhilwara. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared at a cost of Rs 30 crore this year.
Women Empowerment and Tourism
The budget includes the construction of bio/pink toilet complexes for women in urban areas and the distribution of free tablets with internet access to meritorious school students. The state has also taken measures against incidents of paper leaks, with over 100 arrests made.
In the tourism sector, an outlay of Rs 200 crore is proposed for projects at 20 major tourist sites, including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Pushkar. The formation of the Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Development Authority, and the development of the 'Rajasthan Mandapam' convention-cum-exhibition center in Jaipur, were also announced.
Political Reactions
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma lauded the budget as visionary, aimed at transforming Rajasthan into a developed state by 2047. Meanwhile, Congress MLA and state party chief Govind Singh Dotasra, along with other legislators, protested briefly over the absence of Cabinet Minister Kirodi Meena, whose resignation is yet to be accepted. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was also notably absent from the assembly session.