Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan and Minister of Finance, presented the state’s 2023–24 budget. For the first time, the state budget was streamed live to all state government offices and private colleges.
- The budget for 2023-24 gains importance as it is the final budget of the current Ashok Gehlot-led government, which is about to go for election later in 2023.
Highlights of the Rajasthan Budget 2023-24
i.The Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy will benefit at least 76 lakh families under the Ujjwala scheme, who would receive LPG cylinders at Rs 500.
ii.The Rajasthan government would provide free electricity of up to 2,000 units to 11 lakh farmers.
- Domestic consumers will now receive 100 units of free electricity per month, up from 50 units previously.
iii.In response to the paper leak controversy, the state suggested a One-Time Registration (OTR) Mechanism for competitive exams for job applicants.
- As a result, job applicants will no longer be compelled to pay multiple fees for various government job examinations.
iv.The annual family limit for medical coverage under the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana (Health Insurance Scheme) has been raised from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh.
v.A Marwar Medical University will be established in Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and three new medical schools will be established across the state.
vi.Every month, ‘Chief Minister Annapurna Food Packets’ will be distributed, along with free rations, to about one crore families protected by the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
- To implement this, a Rs. 19,000 crore inflation relief package has been announced to help the general public deal with rising prices.
- A sum of Rs. 3,000 crore will be spent on the provision of 1 kilogramme (kg) of pulses, 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of salt, and 1 litre of edible oil.
vii.The Rajasthan government would offer benefits under the “Old Pension Scheme” to employees of various boards and organizations in the state.
- The “Old Pension Scheme” benefits will be available to employees of universities, institutions, and autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies recruited after January 1, 2004.
viii.Farmers would be given interest-free loans worth Rs 3000 crore by cooperative banks.
ix.Women would be granted Rs. 5,000 for sewing machines.
x.Women will only be required to pay half the fare while using state highway buses.
xi.Students can travel up to 75 kilometres without paying a bus fare.
xii.The Rajasthan government will distribute electric two-wheelers to female students.
xiii.All students will get a free education up to grade 12 under the right to education (RTE).
xiv.Students who are pursuing research will receive a financial stipend of Rs. 30,000.
xv.The APJ Abdul Kalam Institute of Biotechnology will be built in Jaipur (Rajasthan) at a cost of Rs. 300 crore.
Recent Related News:
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2023, the 16th edition of the festival celebrating the power of literature, art and culture with a focus on Indian languages was held from 19th to 23rd January 2023 in Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister (CM) – Ashok Gehlot
Governor – Kalraj Mishra
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary; Kaila Devi Sanctuary
Tiger Reserves – Ranthambore Tiger Reserve; Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve
