Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday presented the state Budget in the Rajasthan Assembly, this after a high drama that ensued after he read out the previous year’s budget.
The opposition BJP staged protest after the chief minister read the previous year’s budget for seven minutes before he was prompted by the chief whip. Ruckus ensued as the saffron party members alleged that the budget was leaked before it was tabled in the House. Later, he apologised for the goof-up and presented the budget.
Here are the big announcements made by Gehlot in his budget speech.
1. The chief minister announced free electricity to more than 11 lakh farmers who consume less than ₹2,000 a month. While making the announcement, Gehlot said that providing uninterrupted power supply for farming is a priority for his government.
2. Gehlot announced the enactment of the Rajasthan Farmers Debt Relief Act in order to protect the land of small and marginal farmers from being auctioned off.
3. The CM has announced benefits under the old pension scheme to employees of various boards and corporations in the state. In his last year’s budget, he had announced the revival of the OPS.
4. The Rajasthan government has announced the enactment of Gig Workers Welfare Act, establishment of a board and a welfare fund of ₹200 crore in his government’s Budget for 2023-24. Gehlot said that the scope of the gig economy is increasing and the number of gig workers has increased to 3-4 lakh in the state. He said the measures will protect them from harassment.
5. The CM has announced an inflation relief package of ₹19,000 crore to provide relief to the people from rising prices. The package includes free food packets every month to poor families,
6. Gehlot announced LPG cylinders for ₹500 under the Ujjwala scheme. He also announced raising the coverage amount from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh per year per family under the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.
(With PTI inputs)