Rajasthan Budget 2024-25 Unveiled: Key Highlights and Initiatives
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Youth Empowerment and Employment Generation: The budget pledges to create 70,000 new job opportunities across diverse sectors, signaling a commitment to harnessing the demographic dividend and fostering economic dynamism.
2. Sustainable Development Initiatives: Under the Chief Minister's Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan, the budget allocates funds for the construction of 5 lakh water harvesting structures, reflecting a proactive approach to environmental conservation and climate resilience.
3. Infrastructure Enhancement and Social Welfare: Significant investments are directed towards the establishment and augmentation of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and civic amenities, underscoring the government's focus on enhancing the quality of life and promoting human capital development.
4. Tourism Promotion and Cultural Heritage Conservation: The infusion of ₹100 crore for the development of the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit underscores the government's commitment to leveraging Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage as a driver of economic revitalization and job creation.
5. Good Governance and Fiscal Prudence: The budget prioritizes transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline, reflecting a commitment to optimizing resource allocation and maximizing developmental outcomes while fostering investor confidence.
Introduction
The presentation of the interim budget for Rajasthan for the fiscal year 2024-25 marked a significant moment as Finance Minister Diya Kumari announced a slew of initiatives aimed at bolstering the state's economy and uplifting its populace. Among the standout announcements was the pledge to create 70,000 new job opportunities, a testament to the government's commitment to youth empowerment and employment generation.
In addition to job creation, the budget earmarked funds for the Chief Minister's Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan, aimed at water conservation through the construction of 5 lakh water harvesting structures across 20,000 villages. This initiative reflects the government's dedication to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Addressing the issue of overdue electricity bills, the budget proposed a waiver of penalties for agricultural electricity consumers with pending bills cut before March 31, 2023. Furthermore, customers in other categories who clear their entire outstanding bills will have their interest and penalties waived, providing relief to struggling households.
Youth empowerment emerged as a focal point, with the announcement of plans to recruit approximately 70,000 individuals under various government departments in the coming year. Additionally, the establishment of youth resource centers in all district headquarters, aimed at providing career counseling and guidance, further underscores the government's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering career growth opportunities.
The budget also allocated funds for essential infrastructure development, including the establishment and enhancement of schools, colleges, and hospitals across legislative constituencies, with a special provision of ₹1,000 crore for this purpose.
Tourism, a key driver of Rajasthan's economy, received a significant boost with a ₹100 crore provision for the development of the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit. This investment is poised to enhance tourist experiences and bolster the state's position as a premier destination on the global tourism map.
Furthermore, the budget introduced several welfare schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable sections of society, including interest-free loans of up to ₹1 lakh for rural families engaged in agriculture and dairy farming. Additionally, the Ladli Suraksha Yojana was launched to provide financial security to girls born in economically disadvantaged families, reflecting the government's commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
In her address, Finance Minister Diya Kumari also took the opportunity to critique the previous administration, highlighting financial mismanagement and corruption as hindrances to the state's progress. She reiterated the current government's resolve to navigate these challenges with a combination of sound policies, good governance, and collaboration with the central government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rajasthan Budget 2024-25 reflects a comprehensive strategy to address key socio-economic challenges while laying the groundwork for inclusive growth and sustainable development across the state.
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