Rajasthan Budget 2024: Major Investments in Youth and Agriculture

Rajasthan Budget 2024 cuts stamp duty, reduces CNG and aviation fuel prices, and invests in youth, women, farmers, and tourism development.

Key Highlights of Rajasthan Budget 2024

The Bhajanlal government unveiled the general budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the assembly today. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented an estimated income-expenditure budget of Rs 4 lakh 90 thousand crores.

Stamp Duty Relief for Farmers and Martyrs

Finance Minister Diya Kumari announced significant stamp duty reductions benefiting farmers and other groups. The stamp duty on jointly owned non-agricultural land has been slashed from 6% to 2%. Additionally, there is a complete waiver of stamp duty for transferable development rights in densely populated areas, with the stamp duty on their sale reduced from 5% to 2%. Furthermore, all registration fees on houses and flats for martyrs’ families will be waived, and the maximum limit of stamp duty on housing loan date assignments has been lowered.

Reduced Prices for CNG and Aviation Fuel

The state government has cut VAT to lower the prices of CNG and aviation fuel, making these essential resources more affordable for residents and businesses.

Initiatives for Youth, Women, Farmers, and the Poor

For Youth:

• 1 lakh government jobs will be created.
• A 10 lakh zone will be established for private sector opportunities.
• Hostel mess allowances have been increased by Rs 500.
• The mess allowance for sports residential schools is now Rs 4000 per month.
• Merit students in classes 8th, 10th, and 12th will receive tablets and three years of free internet.

For Women:

• Under the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana, packages for the treatment of infants and young children will be provided.
• The Maa Voucher Scheme will support pregnant women across the country.
• The Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s target has been raised from 5 lakh to 15 lakh for women’s economic empowerment.
• 2 lakh new self-help groups will be formed in five years, with 40 thousand established this year, receiving Rs 300 crore in concessional loans.
• Assistance for hostel and paying guest facilities for working women.
• Establishment of Balika Sainik Schools at the divisional level.

For Farmers:

• The Rajasthan Irrigation Water Grid Mission will commence with a budget of Rs 50 crore for water-saving and irrigation projects.
• 1,45,000 agricultural connections will be provided by March 31, 2024.
• The Chief Minister’s Animal Husbandry Development Board will be established.
• Interest-free loans to 5 lakh new farmers, with Rs 3500 crore in short-term loans distributed this year.
• A 2% interest subsidy for farmers repaying crop loans on time.

For the Poor:

• SAC ST and TSP fund increased from Rs 1000 crore to Rs 1500 crore.
• Baba Saheb Ambedkar Gram Vikas Yojana will receive Rs 200 crore for infrastructure development in large villages.
• The Govind Guru Tribal Area Development Scheme will start with Rs 75 crore, distributing community leases in forest areas.
• The Chief Minister Swanidhi Yojana will aid street vendors and other urban needy.
• An additional Rs 25,000 grant for the economically weaker section of the Pradhan Mantri Urban Housing Scheme.

Investment in Tourism and Defense Manufacturing

The government will spend Rs 5,000 crore on tourism development, including Rs 200 crore for 20 tourist spots and Rs 100 crore for the Jaipur Walled City Heritage Development Plan. A Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Board will be established, and plans for destination wedding locations will be developed.

The government will also invest Rs 100 crore in building the Khatushyam corridor, similar to the Kashi Vishwanath project.

Additionally, a Rajasthan Petrol Zone will be created in Pachpadra, and a defense manufacturing hub is proposed for the state. A Global Technology Center will be set up in Jaipur to attract investments.

Expanding Medical Facilities

• Rs 27,660 crore is allocated for expanding medical facilities.
• Under the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana, treatment packages for infants and young children will be provided.
• An Ayushman Model CHC will be established in every district.
• The Rajasthan Digital Health Mission aims to offer better medical consultancy, with health records created at the PHC level.
• 1,500 doctor posts and 4,000 nursing staff positions will be created.

Youth Employment and Skill Development

The government plans to create 4 lakh new jobs over the next five years, with over one lakh recruitments annually. A new policy will be introduced to provide more than 10 lakh employment opportunities. Over 1.5 lakh youth will receive skill development training through new internship programs, and sports academies will be established in every district. The Atal Udyam Yojana will start special programs worth Rs 25 crore for startups, and business innovation programs will be run in colleges.