Rajasthan Budget 2018: CM Vasundhara Raje Presents Last Budget Before Assembly Elections, Announces a Slew of Schemes For Farmers

Apart from the loan waiver scheme, Raje also announced setting up of a farmer loan relief commission. The commission will work to grant relief to farmers on case to case basis.

New Delhi, Feb 12: In an apparent attempt to garner support of farmers and the middl class in the upcoming Assembly elections, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced a slew of schemes in the state budget 2018 on Monday. Presenting her last budget before the Assembly elections, Raje announced a one-time loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000 for farmers of the state.

The loan waiver scheme will add an additional burden of Rs 8,000 crore to the Rajasthan state exchequer. Apart from the loan waiver scheme, Raje also announced setting up of a farmer loan relief commission. The commission will work to grant relief to farmers on case-to-case basis.

However, the Opposition Congress was not happy with the scheme for farmers and demanded full loan waiver. Congress members  also shouted  slogans inside the Assembly during Raje’s budget speech. The Congress said that the BJP government has betrayed the farmers.

Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, also announced a new scheme which will giving Rs 25 lakh home loan to journalists.

Highlights of Rajasthan Budget:

* One-time loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000 for small and marginal farmers in the state. Scheme to cost Rs 8,000 crore to the exchequer.

* Setting up of a farmer loan relief commission where farmers can approach and present their side for getting relief on merit basis.

* 100 handpumps each in every Assembly constituency before the next summer season.

* Rs 40,000 crore allocated for refinery project in Barmer.

* Two lakh farmers to get electricity connection in next one year.

* Aim to provide employment to over 13 lakh youth.

* Driving license, vehicle registration procedures to go paperless.

* Free travel for people above 80 years of age and one attendee on half fare in the state roadways buses.

* Under the Annapurna Bhandar schemes 1000 canteens will be established.