Presenting a tax-free Interim budget for 2024-25, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari on Thursday assured to create 70,000 new posts for youth and employment recruitment, and introduced Lado Protsahan Yojana saving bonds of Rs1 lakh on birth of girl child belonging to poor families.

Announcing a slew of bonanza schemes to public in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on the pattern of the Central government, the Finance Minister also announced to bring Gopal Credit Card scheme with interest free short term loans up to Rs 1 lakh, loan for 5 lakh Gopalak families in first phase with a budgetary support of Rs 150 cr.

In her one hour and 25 minutes speech, despite Opposition Congress’ objections in between, Diya Kumari announced to bring in Lakhpati Didi Yojana — economic empowerment of women for 5 lakh families with a target to earn Rs one lakh annually.

Under Pradhan Mantri Vandan Yojana, the financial assistance (for the welfare of pregnant and lactating women across the country) would be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,500 with an expenditure support of Rs 90 crore, she said.

Blaming the previous Congress government on every budgetary scheme in past five years, the FM said the debt burden was increased beyond Rs 5 lakh crore, as per BE of 2023-24, and the per capita debt was increased from Rs 36,800 (2017-18) to Rs 70,800 (2023-24).

Similarly, alleging regular electricity crisis due to mismanagement and corruption in the Gehlot government, she accused that debt of more than Rs1,39,200 cr on electricity companies including DISCOMs was recorded.

Giving relief to businessmen, she announced to stop Mandi Tax to lower down the prices of ‘Sugar and Gud’, and Land Tax.

Introducing Ayushman Arogya Yojana (changing the Chiranjeevi Health Scheme), she proposed the Health Insurance Scheme to cover Day Care Package along with indoor patient under Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana.

The other main relaxations that the FM proposed in her vote on account for first quarter of the new FY-2024-2025 included
financial assistance of Rs 1000 per student for school bags, books, and uniform for students of class I to VIII, and girl students of class IX to XII to benenfit 70 lakh students, increasing 30 to 50 per cent concessions to senior citizens in roadways buses and Anti-Romeo Squad in each district.

The FM said Rs 200 cr was earmarked for police modernisation, infrastructure fund and cyber help desk. To promote industry, investment and development in the state, the interim budget relaxed amnesty schemes in various sectors including Stamp Duty, VAT, Transport and Energy sectors.

Announcements include Mukhyamantri Vishwakarma Pension Yojna for Labourers and street vendors with a pension of Rs 2000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years on payment of monthly premium. For this, a budgetary support of Rs 350 cr was provided.

She said a budgetary support of Rs 300 cr would be earmarked for development works at 20 religious places/astha kendra and
Jaipur will have High Tech City with world class city facilities.

On Mission Olympics-2028, the FM announced world class sports facilities for 50 talented youths and Centre of Excellence for sports in Jaipur with a provision of Rs100 cr.

Announcing distribution of high quality seeds, she announced distribution of Maize to 12 lakh farmers, Bajra for 8 lakh farmers, Mustard to 7 lakh farmers, Moong to 4 lakh farmers, Jowar and Moth to one lakh each.

The FM also proposed KG to PG free education to the students belonging to the families of low income group, small/marginal/bataidar farmers/farmer labourers.

The interim budget put the budget estimates for the year 2024-25 with Revenue Deficit Rs 23,869.36 cr; Fiscal Deficit of Rs 67,240.48 cr ; Fiscal Deficit as the percentage of GSDP at 3.95 per cent ; Debt to GSDP Ratio at 37.48 pc; Total Expenditure at Rs 4, 86615.10 lakh crore and Reveneu Exenditure at Rs 2,82,247.65 lakh crore.

Appropriation Bill and Supplimentary Demands were passed by a voice vote.

The House was adjourned Sine die.