Opposition Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on Rajasthan Government's Third Budget
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has delivered a blistering critique of the Bhajan Lal government's third Budget, describing it as "dull, directionless, and misleading." Jully asserted that the numerous announcements contained within the Budget document lack clear financial provisions, creating serious doubts about how the proposed schemes will actually be implemented without properly allocated funds.
Mounting Debt and Financial Management Under Scrutiny
Jully raised significant alarms about the state's overall financial health, stating, "The government has pushed Rajasthan into heavy debt. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limit stands at 37%, and our debt has already reached a precarious 36.8%." He emphasized the scale of borrowing, revealing that the amount of debt accumulated in just the last three budgets exceeds the total borrowed over the preceding fifty years.
Allegations of Recycled Announcements and Misplaced Credit
The Opposition leader argued that a substantial portion of the Budget lacks innovation. "Nearly 70 to 75 percent of the Budget announcements are routine in nature, merely covering existing social security, drinking water, and other old schemes," Jully claimed. He provided a specific example regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission, accusing the ruling party of confusion tactics. "The government is claiming credit for providing 14 lakh water connections, but more than 10 lakh of these were actually completed during the previous Congress government's tenure," he stated.
Track Record of Unfulfilled Promises Highlighted
Jully further questioned the government's execution capability, asserting that only 30 percent of the announcements from last year's Budget were completed, with work on another 30 percent not even commencing. "The promises made remain pending. For instance, the Pachpadra refinery project was promised to begin in August, but with February approaching, no visible progress has been made," he pointed out, highlighting a pattern of delayed implementation.
Critical Shortfalls in Education and Healthcare Funding
The criticism extended to specific sectoral allocations. Jully noted a glaring disparity in education, pointing out that while more than 41,000 schools across the state are in a dilapidated condition, the current budget provides funds for repairs to only 2,500 institutions. In healthcare, he highlighted operational issues, stating, "Payments under the Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme are stalled, causing many hospitals to withdraw from the program, which directly impacts public access to care."
Congress President Questions Development Claims and Job Creation
Echoing the sentiment, State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra declared that the Budget failed to allocate meaningful funds for development. He revisited previous Congress allegations about the BJP government's mismanagement of state land and the industrial land bank, claiming the Budget validates these concerns. "The government boasts of approving land allocation for eight industries per day, yet the Budget is completely silent on crucial outcomes," Dotasra said. He demanded clarity on how many industries were actually established, how much investment was attracted under the 'Rising Rajasthan' initiative, and how many jobs were genuinely created from these policies.
The combined critique from the Opposition presents a formidable challenge to the Bhajan Lal government's budgetary narrative, framing it as a document strong on announcements but weak on actionable financial planning, transparency, and a proven track record of delivery for the people of Rajasthan.
