CM announces ₹3,500-cr health care scheme
In first paperless budget of the state, Gehlot also focuses on education, agriculture and road infrastructure
JAIPUR: Presenting the first paperless budget of Rajasthan, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday announced to introduce a universal healthcare scheme worth ₹3,500 crore, under which every family in the state will get medical insurance benefit up to ₹5 lakh.
Announcing that no new tax has been proposed in the budget for 2021-22, Gehlot said a separate agriculture budget will be presented from the next financial year. He also announced to set up a separate power distribution company for agriculture.
Gehlot said the government was giving a relief of ₹910 crore to the people of the state as no new tax has been proposed in the budget and some taxes were reduced.
He proposed a plan size of ₹2.5 lakh crore with estimated fiscal deficit of ₹47,652 crore, which is 3.98 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product.
Notably, Gehlot presented the lengthiest budget for 2.46 hours in the state’s history.
In 2021-22, revenue receipts of ₹184,330 crore are estimated while estimated revenue expenditure is ₹208,000 crore and estimated revenue deficit is ₹23,750 crore.
“For the first time in the country, we are going to implement a universal health coverage in the state at the cost of ₹3,500 crore,” Gehlot said. A bill on right to health will be introduced in the state assembly, he said.
“The biggest challenge before us while making this budget was that despite the difficult economic conditions, there should be no shortage of resources for the development of the state. We are taking this resolution to mobilize economic resources with far-reaching thinking,” Gehlot said.
Referring to the coronavirus pandemic, he said, “The past one year has been very difficult for all of us. We have strengthened the health infrastructure in the state, turning this disaster into opportunities. Corona RT-PCR investigation facility has been ensured in all districts.”
Announcing a special Covid-19 package, he said the government has already provided assistance of ₹1,155 crore at the rate of ₹3,500 per family to 33 lakh helpless, destitute families during this pandemic. “Now, I announce further assistance of ₹2,000 to these families,” he said.
The CM said, “To provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state, more than 50,000 people will be recruited in the next two years.” The candidates participating in competitive examinations will be provided free travel in roadways buses, he said. The chief minister announced the launch of Indira Gandhi Urban Credit Card Scheme for self-employment and employment needs of street vendors of urban areas and youth and unemployed people of all areas. Under this scheme, an interest free loan of up to ₹50,000 will be provided to five lakh needy people. “The Rajasthan has opened medical colleges at every divisional head quarter, now every district will have a nursing college. Apart from eight existing nursing colleges, 25 new colleges will be opened,” he said.
Under the Jeevan Rakshak Yojana, ₹5,000 and citation will be given to good samaritans who save lives in road accidents.
As many as 1,200 Mahatma Gandhi Government English medium Schools will be opened in villages with a population of 5000, he said.