Rajasthan Budget proposes Rs 6,800 cr to provide tap water, Rs 3,000 cr for solar parks
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari on Wednesday proposed Rs 6,800 crore to provide tap water to the rural and urban population and around Rs 3,000 crore for building solar parks in Bikaner and Jaisalmer in the state Budget for 2026-27.
Presenting the Budget for the year 2026-27, the finance minister Kumari highlighted the impact of structural reforms and prudent financial management undertaken by the present government and said the state's economic size has expanded significantly.
She said under the CM Jal Jeevan Mission villages will be covered and every household will be connected to tap water. This will cost Rs 4,500 crore. Drinking water will be provided in cities at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore.
New solar parks will be built in Bikaner and Jaisalmer at Rs 2,950 crore.
Under the CM Self-Employment Scheme, interest-free loans and grants up to Rs 10 lakh will be provided. This will benefit 30,000 youth.
Moreover, Rs 1,400 crore will be spent on non-patchable roads and Rs 600 crore on missing link roads.
The Finance Minister said Rajasthan's economy is estimated to touch Rs 21,52,100 crore in 2026-27, and the per capita income of the state will also rise from Rs 1.67 lakh to Rs 2.02 lakh by the end of 2025-26.
Kumari said the growth reflects the government's focus on strengthening the economy through fiscal discipline and policy reforms.
She said Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is continuously striving to take the state forward on the path of economic prosperity, sustainable and inclusive development, embracing the core principles of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas."
In her budget speech, she said, "To realize the vision of a developed Rajasthan by 2047, our government, under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has prioritized service, dedication, and good governance, keeping in mind the important role of the poor, youth, farmers, and women in this development journey."
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
