by rakesh | Feb 25, 2008 | Rajasthan
– Revenue Surplus for the second consecutive year. Fiscal deficit reduced
– Equal emphasis on physical and social infrastructure of the state
– Focus on education, health and women’s development
– All inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
– 50 % reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions
– Minimum wages for unskilled, semi skilled and skilled workers raised by one third.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt Vasundhara Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, today presented an upbeat budget for Rajasthan for the year 2008-2009.
It is noteworthy that Smt Raje presented the state budget ahead of the Union Budget, underlining the strong fiscal performance of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, said, “In four years, our Government has significantly enhanced the physical and social infrastructure of Rajasthan. This year we intend to not just consolidate the progress we have made in the last four years but also set the pace for all-round development. We are proud to present an inclusive budget which provides a fillip to industry while taking due care of the economically weaker sections of the society.”
The highlights of the budget include approved plan expenditure for 2008-09 of Rs 15,248 crore, an estimated revenue surplus of Rs 1,183.14 crore (3.59% of revenue receipts) and fiscal deficit of Rs 5,266.91 crore (3% of GSDP).
Complimenting the state for its excellent performance, the CAG report for the year 2006-07 had recently noted that the state had achieved fiscal targets as laid down in the FRBM Act well before the timeline. The current year has ended in a revenue surplus of Rs 638 crore and fiscal deficit of Rs 3,970 crore which is 2.8% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The key highlights of the budget for various sectors are as follows:-
Roads
. The target of rural connectivity under Bharat Nirman Yojana has been achieved one year in advance, making Rajasthan first such state in the country. Rural connectivity increased to 73%, higher than the national average of 65 %
. 9,096 panchayat headquarters out of total 9,188 gram panchayat headquarters connected with pucca roads.
Power
. Outlay for power section sector in 2008-09 at Rs 6,212 crore which is 40.74% of total plan.
. Installed power capacity raised to 6,395 MW and to further increase by 2,019 MW by the end of the current financial year.
. 4,916 feeders completed under the ‘feeder renovation programme’ leading to reduction of Transmission & Distribution losses by 9.37%.
. Focus on domestic electrification projects in rural areas.
Water resources
. Rs 50 crore provided for upkeep of old irrigation projects in 2008-09.
. Irrigation capacity exceeding one lakh hectares per year created in the last four years. A master plan will be prepared for an optimum utilization of available water which will provide irrigation for one lakh additional hectares.
Industry
. In an attempt to give a boost to the free movement of goods across the country, all inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
. Budget of Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood raised from Rs 20.80 crore in 2004 to Rs 60 crore. Over one lakh youths equipped with employable skills.
. Four more animation academies to be established along with the academies of automotive design, draftsmanship and graphic design in 2008-09.
. Investment proposal exceeding Rs 500 crore in districts having no big projects will get customized package.
Medical & Health
. Medical facilities to be strengthened- Capacity expansion, new hospitals, new facilities in existing hospitals to be established
. Health Insurance schemes to be launched in all 33 districts of Rajasthan
Agriculture
. Additional state subsidy of 10-20% for drip irrigation schemes.
. Rajasthan Mission on Animal Husbandry has been established.
Women
. The reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions will be increased from 33% earlier to 50 %.
. The budget has led to strengthening of various social schemes for women, BPL families, rural and urban development.
. All girls completing necessary agricultural education will be appointed as Agricultural Supervisors.
. Women’s hockey academy to be established in Ajmer next year.
Economically backward classes
. Launched the largest financial inclusion scheme connected to health insurance for all BPL families in the state – a novel scheme in which Rs 1,500 will be given to all the families covered under the health insurance scheme upon opening a bank account enabled with a smart card in the name of the female member of the family. This scheme will draw women across the state into the formal financial system and ensure they have access to credit, bank loans, etc. The scheme will be extended to groups like SCs, ST’s and farmers.
. The minimum wages for unskilled workers raised from Rs 73 to Rs 100.
. Honorarium of aanganwadi workers raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600, Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for saathins and Rs 500 to Rs 800 for sahayikas.
Human Resources Development
. All government schools whose students get selected in the National Talent Scholarship Scheme will be awarded a prize of Rs 50,000 per student.
Taxes
. Simplification of tax procedures – computerization of commercial taxes department is underway. E-filing has been introduced since January 2008. E-refund to be available from August 2008.
. Harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN), followed worldwide as a standard, will be introduced for the betterment of the VAT system.
by rakesh | Feb 24, 2008 | Rajasthan
The Defence Minister, Shri AK Antony, visited the forward Areas of the desert sector today. He was accompanied by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj, GOC-in-C, Southern Command and Lieutenant General SN Handa, GOC of the Desert Corps.
During his visit, the Raksha Mantri visited the border area in Tanot Sector and was briefed by Lieutenant General SN Handa on operational and border management aspects. Thereafter, he witnessed a demonstration of the ‘Battle of Laungewala’ fought in 1971, during which the Pakistani onslaught with armour and infantry was stopped dead in its tracks by a company of 23 PUNJAB and the Indian Air Force. The grit and determination exhibited by the Indian Army during the Battle of Laungewala is a shining example of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers in the face of the enemy. In addition to his interaction with Senior Commanders and officers of the Desert Corps, he addressed a large gathering of troops of the Desert Corps. In his address, Mr Antony commended the troops for their high state of operational readiness to meet any eventuality and called upon all ranks to continue their good work. Mr. Antony exhorted the troops of the Desert Corps to emulate the valiant acts of bravery displayed by those defending Laungwala Post and called upon them to persevere in their efforts in defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
Shri AK Antony joined the troops for a barakhana and had an informal interaction with them.
by rakesh | May 30, 2007 | Rajasthan
Owing to the ongoing agitation in Rajasthan, train movement is severely affected on the following Zonal Railways:
1. North Western Railway- Jaipur-Sawai Madhpur section
Jaipur-Bharatpur via Bandikui
2. West Central Railway – Mathura-Sawai Madhopur section
3. North Central Railway – Agra Fort-Bandikui section
II.- Details of sections affected.
NWR
Jaipur Division: Jaipur-Rawari- agitation started at 1130 hours and the affected section are Bandikuai to Baswa and Bandikui to Biwai.
WCR
Kota Division- Gangapur-Mathura & Gangapur City-Chhoti Uda since 1355 hours.
NCR
Agra Division- Bandikui Agra Fort section- Agitation started from 0810 hours over the Dholpur-Nagpur NG section from 1210 hours.
III.
Large number of Mail/Express and other Passenger trains have been regulated cancelled and diverted and details are attached as Annexure.
Due to the above agitations following action having taken:
NCR
Agra Diversion
Agra-Bayana section of the Bansi Paharpur and Banbertha track is disturbed at 1400 hours by the mob
7 Passenger trains are cancelled
In addition diversions are as under:
1) 9040 Gorakhpur-Bawana via Agra Fort via Gwalior-Bina-Guna-Maksi -Ujjain- Ratlam.
2) 9037 Okha- Asansol will go via Katni-Guna-Bina- Kanpur
3) 2941 will go via Bayana-Mathura-Agra-Tundla
4) All trains Ex. Delhi- Mathura-Agra Cantt.-Bina-Bhopal-Nagpur-Ratlam
KTT:
On WCR Railway
1) Gangapur City-Chhota Udai
2) Dumaria-Bayana
The above section affected from 1400 and 1410 hours. Signal post broken and Pandroll clips removed.
Due to the above following diversions have been made.
Diversion:
1) 2952 Rajdhani Experss
2) 2654 Chandigarah-Kochivelu
3) 2910 Nizamuddin-Badra (T) Garib Rath
4) 2954 Nizamuddin- Mumbai Central August Kranti Rajdhani
5) 9024 Firozpur- Bandra (T) Janata Express
6) 9040 Muzaffapur- Bandra (T) Avadh Express
7) 2903 Mumbai Centeral- Amritsar Golden Tample
8) 9019 Bandra (T)-Dehradun
9) 2415 Indore-Nizamuddin Inter City
10) 2475 Hapa-Jammu Tawi Swaraj Express
11) 2449 Madgaon- Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti
12) 2926 Amritsar-Bandra (T) Paschim Express
13) 2474 Jammu Tawi- Hapa Swaraj Express
14) 2916 Delhi-Ahmedabad Ashram Express
NR
Cancelled
1) 4059 (Delhi-Jaisalmer) Inter City
2) 2461 (Delhi-Jodhpur Mandor Express
3) 2963 ( Nizamuddin-Udaipur Mewar Express
4) 2958 New Delhi-Ahmedabad Rajdhani Express
5) 9106 Partially cancelled between Jaipur Haridwar
6) 2413 Pooja Express
North Western Railway
Divesion
1) 2463 Delhi- Jodhpur /Bikaner Rajasthan Samprak Kranti (diverted via Rewari-Bhatinda-Bikaner-Jodhpur
2) 5631 Bikaner/Barmer-Guwahati Express (diverted via Phulera-Bikaner-Bhatinda
3) 2413 Jaipur-Jammu Tawi Pooja Express (diverted via Phulera-Bikaner-Bhatinda
4) 9781 Jaipur-Amritsar Express (diverted via via Phulera-Bikaner-Bhatinda.
Short Termination
1) 4311 Baraili-New Bhuj Ala Hazrat Express terminated at Rewari and cancelled between Rewari- New Bhuj.
Cancellation:
1) 2462 Jodhpur-Delhi Mandor Express
2) 4854 Jodhpur-Varanasi Marudhar Express
by rakesh | Mar 9, 2007 | Rajasthan
Shri Murli Deora Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed the Lok Sabha while replying to a question today that the proposal for setting up a refinery at Barmer in Rajasthan is under the consideration of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). ONGC has carried out the different studies in this regard including technical feasibility study by Engineers India Limited(EIL), market study by M/s Nexant, financial appraisal by M/s SBI Caps and ROU survey by M/s SECON. Shri Deora added that considering that Rajasthan crude is heavy and viscous which needs to be heated for transportation, short duration of peak production necessitating import of crude, limited market potential in Rajasthan necessitating export of products and other factors, ONGC has approached the Government of Rajasthan for incentives/concessions to make the refinery project financially viable. Further discussions are in progress.
He emphasized that Government has been receiving requests form various State Governments from time to time for setting up/expanding refineries in the respective states. As far as Rajasthan is concerned, Government has received request from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, the latest dated 15th January, 2007, to take steps to set up a refinery in Rajasthan. Shri Deora stressed that consequent on de-licensing of refinery since June, 1998, a refinery may be set up anywhere in India by a Private or Public Sector Enterprise depending on the promoter’s assessment of its viability. Shri Deora further clarified that it is not the Government, but the Private/Public Sector Enterprise, which has to decide on setting up a refinery based on commercial considerations.
Petroleum Minister also informed the House that in Rajasthan, ONGC, Oil India Limited (OIL) and Private/Joint Venture Companies are operating in 15 exploration blocks awarded under New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP), pre-NELP and on nomination basis. Out of this, 5 blocks have been recently allotted under sixth round of NELP and production sharing contracts were signed on 2nd March, 2007. The total area under exploration is about 38,400 sq.km. So far, 4.85 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) of gas reserves and 67.7 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of crude oil reserves have been added. The present production of ONGC and OIL from Rajasthan is 7.5 lakh cubic metres of natural gas per day. Crude oil production from Rajasthan is likely to commence in 2008-09.
by rakesh | Nov 27, 2006 | Rajasthan
The proposals for Central Assistance are submitted by the State Government on year to year basis depending on their work programme and availability of budge provision for the projects in State Budget and Central Assistance is released by the Government of India after scrutiny of proposals.
For the year 2006-07, the State Government of Gujarat and Rajasthan have submitted proposals for Central Assistance amounting to Rs. 289.83 crore and Rs. 100.66 crore respectively.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Shri Harisinh Chavda and Shri Jasubhai Dhanabhai Barad in the Lok Sabha today.
by rakesh | Nov 23, 2006 | Rajasthan
Jaipur, November 23.(DIPR) Let us go into a world where Hanumanji is visible in a tiny seed of watermelon. …open up a small coconut ….You may see the scene of sitaji watching deer with Lord Ram and Lakshman at Panchavati…. Go and view six inchi sandal wooden pocket watch. You would see replica of Taj Mahal and Red Fort…. The Story does not end here…. Open up Taj Mahal…. You would see the Makbara…. again go into the Makbara …. the pyre of Shahjahan’s beloved Begam Mumtaj could be seen. ” We are talking about Rajasthan Pavilion where such artipieces made by Churu based artist Vinod Jangir are on display. If we open up Red Fort Old Fort is visible…. Diwane-khas is situated into old fort. Three links of Pocket Watch are also wonderful. First link consists statue of Maharana Pratap, in second link Prithvi Raj Chauhan and in third link the Statue of Shivaji Maharaj could be seen. So many items carved in six inchi pocket watch is not less than a charisma.
National awardee Vinod Jangir made ‘chandan ki sitar’ could be called as a seperb specimen of his art. Jangir has carved various scenes related to biography of Sangeet Samrat Tansen vividly. One part of sitar showcases Tansen singing Raag Deepak in Akbar’s court. The deepaks got enlightened with super power of music… to pacify the fire of light the scene of rain raining due to Raag Megh Malhar sung by Tansan’s wife ‘Tani’ is carved minutely. The Handle of ‘sitar’ to be opened from three spaces speak three independent stories. In first part Tansen being taught by his Guru, in second part the marriage of Tansen and in third part the scene of Tansen’s competence with beju Baavara is showcased. On the top and mid part of ‘sitar’ images of Saraswati and Ganeshji are carved on miraculously.
Shri Jangir told that this art piece could be completed within six and half months consuming seven to eight kg sandal wood. The art is priceless, though a customer of England wants to purchase it in Rs. 65,000
Besides this ‘Haath Pankha’ (known as Bijani in Rajasthan) carved on with various scenes of Krishnaleela, Kdamb tree, Vasudev crossing Yamuna is wonderful. Shri Jangir is succeeding this art from last three generations. His father and grand father were awarded with National and Padamshree award.
