Rajasthan Civil Society Warns of Mass Movement Over Unimplemented Welfare Laws
Civil society groups, social organizations, and public representatives in Rajasthan have issued a stern warning to the state government. They threaten to launch a wider democratic movement if immediate action is not taken to frame the necessary rules for three crucial welfare acts passed in 2023.
Laws Passed but Left Non-Operational
The laws in question are the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Act, the Rajasthan Right to Health Act, and the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare and Registration Act. These were enacted following sustained people's movements with the intent to ensure social security, universal health services, and welfare protection for unorganized and gig workers across the state.
However, activists have raised serious allegations that the present government has failed to notify the rules required for their effective implementation. This bureaucratic delay has left these landmark laws practically non-operational, undermining their purpose and impact.
Budget Neglect and Democratic Injustice
Critics also pointed to the state budget presented in the Assembly on February 11, which they claim shows neglect in key areas such as education, health, social security, and employment. Social activist Nikhil Dey emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that when the Assembly passes laws but the government fails to operationalize them due to non-framing of rules, it amounts to an injustice to democracy itself.
"A mere Rs 50 increase in social security pensions reflects insensitivity towards the poor. Diluting rights-based laws is an insult to the struggles of the people. Rights will not be allowed to remain confined to paper," Dey asserted, highlighting the activists' resolve.
Specific Grievances with Each Act
Regarding the Right to Health Act—described by activists as the first law in the country to legally guarantee health services to every citizen—they noted that it has not been operationalized. They argue that essential components like health infrastructure, human resources, medicines, and emergency services have not been adequately strengthened to support the act's implementation.
Under the Minimum Income Guarantee Act, activists revealed that a 15% annual increase in social security pensions was mandated. If properly implemented, pensions would have reached Rs 1,322 per month and were projected to rise to Rs 1,520 by 2026–27. Instead, they lament that only a nominal ₹50 increase was announced, falling far short of the legal requirement.
The Act also provides for additional rural and urban employment days, but activists claimed that implementation, especially in urban areas, has remained largely symbolic, failing to deliver tangible benefits to the intended beneficiaries.
Call to Action and Future Implications
The warning from civil society groups underscores a growing frustration with bureaucratic delays that hinder social welfare. They are demanding immediate action to frame and enforce the rules for these acts, threatening a mass movement if their concerns are not addressed promptly.
This situation highlights broader issues of governance and accountability in Rajasthan, with potential implications for democratic processes and social justice in the state. The activists' stance signals a readiness to escalate their efforts to ensure that these hard-won rights are realized in practice, not just on paper.
