Unrealistic, cosmetic budget: Oppn
JAIPUR/KOTA: The main opposition BJP described a budget presented by chief minister Ashok Gehlot in the state assembly on Wednesday as “unrealistic” and “cosmetic”.
The leader of opposition in the House, Gulabchand Kataria, said: “The state government presented the budget keeping in mind the upcoming by polls in four constituencies and it was nothing but just a bag of lies.”
“The budget is also unrealistic. Funds will come from where for the budgetary announcements. There is difference between words and deeds of the government,” the BJP leader said.
“There is no clarity on capital expenditure as capital expenditure was ₹98,000 cr in last financial year where the capital expenditure in the current budget is kept at ₹42,000 crore. The government has to make budgetary allocations for budgetary announcements as magic does not work in it,” he said.
Describing the budget as “cosmetic”, BJP state unit president Satish Punia said: “It is nothing but cut, copy and paste and the intentions of the government are under scanner.” The CM has not made any budgetary announcements for unemployed youth and contractual workers, he said.
CPM MLA Balram Poonia said: “If the budget is enforced then it will be good but there is disappointment to power consumers. However, every section has been touched in the budget.”
Addressing a press conference after presenting the budget, chief minister Gehlot attacked the Centre for financial deduction of ₹14,000 crore for Rajasthan and hiking excise on petroleum products to leave their prices soaring.
“At a time when the country and all states were facing financial brunt of Covid-19 lockdown, the Centre curtailed ₹14,000 crore allocation to Rajasthan when the state faced loss of 23% revenue.”
leader of the opposition
BJP leader Kataria, however, said the state government’s claim of not receiving ₹14,000 crore from the Centre is false as there could be difference of ₹2,000 crore that may be compensated soon.
Gehlot urged prime minister Narendra Modi to waive off farm loans given the difficult times farmers are passing through. He also refuted the mid term poll possibility in the state and claimed his government will complete its term.
Gehlot said: “The Centre has the RBI and other financial sources but Rajasthan has its own limited sources so given such difficult circumstances of Covid-19, the budget indicates better financial management,” he said.
“We have not imposed any new tax and also reduced 2% VAT on petroleum products which has lead to over ₹1,000 crore loss to the exchequer but the Modi government is collecting one third of its revenue through imposing excise on petroleum products that has led to tremendous spike in prices of petroleum products,” he said.
Gehlot said: “Congress president Sonia Gandhi has criticised Modi in a letter to him over petrol price hike and Modi should understand how inflation is taking toll on the people.”
“International prices of petroleum products are on decline but the Modi government is robbing people. If the Modi government provides relief in excise on petrol, then common people will get petrol in ₹50 per liter,” he said.
Gehlot said farmers were sitting on roads in open in extreme weather condition but the central government was not hearing them.
“When former PM Manmohan Singh can waive off farm loans, then Modi should also waive off farm loans since farmers are passing through difficult times,” he said.
“Rajasthan is the only state to provide Rajasthan Mahatama Gandhi Insurance Scheme whereby one can avail benefit of ₹5 lakh insurance by paying just ₹850 premium,” he said.
PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasara said Gehlot has presented an appreciable budget that is inclusive and development oriented. “Budgetary announcements have been made for the progress and development of the state,” Dotasara said in a tweet.
JAIPUR/KOTA: Rajasthan will be the first state in the country to have a separate Peace and Nonviolence directorate.
“The state government will upgrade the Mahatma Gandhi peace and non-violence cell into a directorate,” chief minister (CM) Ashok Gehlot announced during his budget speech on Wednesday.
“As you know we had created peace and non-violence cell on the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In present context, it appears that there is more need to implement the philosophy, principle and vision of the great leader. Hence, we are upgrading the cell into Directorate of Peace and Nonviolence,” said Gehlot.
He added that the directorate will work to learning and vision of Mahatma Gandhi in coordination with the education department to increase the interest in people of state about the teachings of the Father of Nation and in order to achieve this, the number of libraries will be also increased from 8870 to 14970.
The directorate will also focus on research, investment and education in the field of peace and non-violence.
Govt plans separate agri budget from next year
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday announced that a separate agriculture budget will be presented from next year.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Gandhiji had stated that if
India wants to peacefully progress, people with money should understand that the soul of the country lies inside the farmers.”
He continued our government has always worked in the interest of the farmers, and have brought many welfare schemes including loan waiver. “Continuing the same sentiments, for the prosperous future of anndata (farmers) and protecting their rights, a separate budget will be brought from next financial year.”
President, Kissan Mahapanchayat, Rampal Jat said announcement of separate agriculture budget is a good decision. But it lacked focus on making village prosperous, jobs to youth and procurement of produce on MSP.
Free school uniforms, textbooks to students
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has announced to provide free school uniforms and textbooks to school students under the Back to School programme in the state.
Free school uniform for government school students of the State up to class 8 and free books for class 6 to 8 students will be given under the programme. Rajasthan government will spend ₹470 crores on the program.
“..as to bridge the gap of learning intervals of the students, provide study material to the students and make students comfortable towards classes, Back to School programme has been launched,” he said.