Thu Feb 20 07:12:53 UTC 2025: ## Rajasthan’s Budget 2024-25: A Populist Mix with Mounting Debt

**Jaipur, [Date]** – Rajasthan Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented her second full budget today, a document described as a populist mix of sweeteners and bitter pills aimed at securing votes ahead of upcoming local elections. While boasting wide-ranging announcements targeting youth, farmers, senior citizens, and women, the budget also reveals a growing state debt, now nearing ₹6.5 lakh crore.

The budget, presented as a blend of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter flavors, includes several key measures:

* **Increased Free Electricity:** The existing 100-unit free electricity scheme remains, with an additional 50 units offered to those installing solar units. However, the impact on average consumers remains unclear due to the solar installation requirement and a lack of detailed guidelines.

* **Employment Focus:** The government promises 1.25 lakh government jobs and 1.5 lakh private sector jobs, a key pledge to appease youth, a segment reportedly disillusioned with the previous government.

* **Social Welfare Initiatives:** Announcements include increased pensions for the elderly, ₹9,000 in *Samman Nidhi* for 70 lakh farmers, and various schemes targeting women and the disabled.

* **Rural and Urban Development:** The budget includes plans for improved infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, focusing on roads, water sources, and urban development missions.

* **Election-Focused Spending:** Many budget allocations, including metro expansion in Jaipur and religious event funding in Govind Dev Ji temple, appear strategically placed to benefit areas crucial to upcoming local body and panchayat elections scheduled for November.

**Concerns and Criticisms:**

While the budget showcases several populist measures, critics point to the soaring state debt as a major concern. The continued reliance on freebie schemes, while popular, raises questions about the budget’s long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the lack of significant progress on previous announcements, such as the sports university and initiatives related to *Oran* and *Gochar* land, raises doubts about implementation. Experts also note the absence of bold initiatives that could significantly improve Rajasthan’s overall ranking among other states. The lack of relief on petrol and diesel prices also drew criticism.

The budget’s success will hinge on its implementation. Whether the promised jobs materialize and the ambitious infrastructure projects become a reality remains to be seen. The long-term impact of the heavy reliance on debt to fund populist schemes also poses a significant challenge for the state’s financial health.

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