Focus on infrastructure, job creation and water projects in Rajasthan Budget

The 2025-26 State Budget presented by Rajasthan Finance Minister Diya Kumari in the Assembly on Wednesday laid emphasis on infrastructure expansion in the key sectors, employment generation and water supply projects despite an estimated fiscal deficit of Rs.84,643 crore, which was 4.25% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Presenting the 5.37-lakh crore Budget, Ms. Kumari, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, announced recruitments for 2.75 lakh posts in the government and private sectors, drinking water connections for 20 lakh houses, and the construction of nine greenfield expressways at a cost of Rs.60,000 crore. “We are committed to creating a 350 billion U.S. dollar economy by 2030,” Ms. Kumari said.

Ms. Kumari described her financial statement as the State’s first “green Budget”, with its focus on climate change adaptation, forests, environment, and biodiversity. She said the State government would take concrete steps for promoting sustainable agriculture, water harvesting, recycling and waste disposal, and capacity building in these domains.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the State Budget as a document for “inclusive development”, the Opposition Congress said Ms. Kumari’s budget speech only comprised “jugglery of figures” and had failed to offer anything tangible to the youth, backward classes, Dalits, tribals and women. Former CM Ashok Gehlot said the Budget would even result in the denial of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees.

Ms. Kumari affirmed in her 138-minute speech that the GSDP, indicating the development of the State, was estimated to increase to more than Rs.19,89,000 crore in 2025-26. “The State government has delivered 58% of its promises made in the election manifesto and fulfilled 73% of the previous Budget announcements,” she said.

In the 2025-26 Budget, the estimated revenue receipts were pegged at Rs.2.94 lakh crore, estimated revenue expenditure Rs.3.25 lakh crore and the estimated revenue deficit Rs 31,009 crore.

Ms. Kumari also announced 150 units of free electricity per month to the beneficiaries under the CM’s Free Electricity Scheme. Other budgetary announcements for the energy sector included 50,000 new agricultural power connections, 5 lakh domestic connections, abolition of banking with other States at high rates, and installation of more solar plants.

An allocation of Rs.10 crore was made for work of non-patchable roads in each Assembly constituency as well as Rs.15 crore in the constituencies situated in the desert region, Rs.50 crore for detailed project reports of ring roads in 15 cities, and Rs.250 crore for traffic improvement work in Jaipur. The Finance Minister also announced the creation of a fund of Rs.150 crore under the CM’s Thar region development programme.

Ms. Kumari announced a new global capacity centre policy for investment in the service sector, a trade promotion policy for trading sector, and development of 10 sites as iconic tourist destinations. She said Rs.100 crore would be spent to promote night tourism and Rs.100 crore for developing a tribal tourist circuit in southern Rajasthan.

The monthly social security pension for the elderly, widows, single women, differently abled persons, and small and marginal farmers was increased from Rs.1,200 to Rs.1,250. Other budgetary announcements included the establishment of a centre for cyber control and war room at Rs.350 crore, and an increase in the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi as well as the bonus per quintal on minimum support price for wheat.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said at a press conference after the presentation of Budget that it would ensure sustainable development of the State. The Budget had been presented in accordance with the promises made to the people by the BJP, he added.

Earlier, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani announced in the House that the government would make a statement on the issues raised by the Opposition after the Zero Hour on February 20. The Opposition Congress had been demanding the State government’s response to the allegations of surveillance and phone tapping levelled by Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena. (EOM)