Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is also the Finance Minister, delivered his final budget today. This is the final budget for the Congress-led Gehlot government before the state assembly elections, and the chief minister delivered a populist budget with a focus on youth, the unemployed, and women, as predicted.
Promises made by CM Gehlot
CM Gehlot promised free bus travel and free electricity for the people, following in the footsteps of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot previously read parts from the previous budget rather than Budget 2023-24, causing an uproar in the house and prompting an apology from the chief minister, who said it was a human error. The following are the major budget announcements made by the Congress government:
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Domestic consumers will receive 100 units of free electricity every month, up from 50 units before.
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Amid the paper leak controversy, the state recommended a one-time registration fee for job applicants to take competitive exams. As a result, young people will no longer have to pay multiple fees for various government job exams.
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The medical coverage under the Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme has been extended from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per family per year.
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Ujjwala scheme participants would receive LPG cylinders for Rs 500. LPG subsidies will benefit at least 76 lakh families.
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Three new medical colleges will be built in the state, and the Marwar Medical University will be constructed in Jodhpur.
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The Chiranjeevi scheme will be available to EWS families. Under the proposal, the accident insurance amount would be doubled from 5 lakh to 10 lakh.
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Women will be given Rs 5,000 for sewing machines
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30 thousand sweepers will be recruited in Rajasthan.
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Rajiv Gandhi Aviation University to be set up in Jaipur
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Free education for all students till Class 12th under RTE
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Rs 30,000 financial help to students doing research
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Rs 500 crore for skill development of youths
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Free bus travel for students up to 75 km
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Establishment of APJ Abdul Kalam Institute of Biotechnology in Jaipur at a cost of Rs 300 crores.
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Government to give electric two-wheelers to girl students
Rajasthan will have elections in December of this year. While the Congress seeks to retain the position of Chief Minister in the state, the BJP seeks to return to power in the state after spending the previous five years on the opposition benches.
