Farmers' issue, job creation top Rajasthan govt agenda: Pilot
Jaipur, Dec 25 (PTI) Having announced loan wavier for farmers, the Rajasthan government will soon roll out some other measures to enhance the ecosystem for the farming community and for the youth in need of jobs, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said.
He said farmers' issues and job creation for youngsters will dominate the agenda of the new Congress government in the state.
Pilot, after the formation of the Rajasthan Cabinet, said work has begun and the government will start delivering on the promises made in the party's election manifesto.
"We have started working from the very first day by announcing farm loan waiver. Agrarian crisis is on the top of the agenda and very soon, there will be quick and substantive steps by the government to enhance the ecosystem for farming community to make sure that farming becomes a profitable venture," Pilot told PTI.
"We will very soon start job creation on priority basis. These are the two issues which we will be going to be principally focused on because Rajasthan deserves a government that delivers on these two fronts," he said.
The deputy chief minister said the manifesto will be given to the chief secretary, like previous times, and it will be made an official document for the government to function.
"The policy promises the Congress party has made will become a firm official commitment as we move forward," he said.
The loan waiver for farmers was announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on December 19, two days after taking oath.
According to a government order, farmers' entire short-term crop loan from cooperative banks and agriculture loans up to Rs two lakh from nationalised and other banks have been waived, putting a burden of Rs 18,000 crore on the exchequer.
Asked about the availability of the financial resources to bear the burden, Pilot said the government was "capable" to face the challenge.
"Resource management is not a big deal if there is a political will. The previous UPA government had waived 72,000 crore of farmers' loan and we can also do it. So, I believe, the government is fully capable and equipped to deal with any challenge," he said.
Pilot, who is also the president of the party's state unit, said the announcement of loan waiver has not only helped farmers but also gave a message to them that the new government is ready to listen and redress their grievances.
Similarly for job creation, Pilot said, the work will begin and a system for continuous job creation and recruitment will be made.
"We have shown our commitment. The first decision was of loan waiver, which will be followed by other measures. Farmers and youths were never the priorities of the previous BJP government," he claimed.
Talking about the cabinet expansion held on Monday, Pilot said it was a balance between youths and experienced leaders and was an "energetic" cabinet.
"Ours is a forward looking, fully charged energetic cabinet in Rajasthan and the government is fully equipped to deal with the challenges and meet the expectations of people," he added.
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Rupee falls 32 paise to all-time low of 95.20 against US dollar
Mumbai, Apr 30 (PTI): The rupee depreciated 32 paise to an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, weighed down by elevated Brent crude oil prices, hovering around USD 122 per barrel, and strong American currency.
Forex traders said the USD/INR pair may see further downside, as rising crude oil prices are likely to sharply impact India's import costs, while concerns over potential wider conflict in West Asia are fuelling investor anxiety.
Meanwhile, the US dollar added to gains after the US FED Reserve kept rates unchanged. Safe-haven demand was also boosted by another diplomatic setback between Washington and Tehran.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.01 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 32 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee depreciated 20 paise to close at an all-time low of 94.88 against the US dollar.
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"The main effect on the rupee has been from the rising oil prices, which touched USD 120 per barrel and looked headed for further upside as the US continues with its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran does not allow any ship/tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.01 per cent higher at 98.96.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 3.16 per cent at USD 121.76 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex tumbled 821.79 points to 76,674.57 in early trade, while the Nifty dived 287.3 points to 23,890.35.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 2,468.42 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue with their sale of Indian Equities and debt (the yield touched 7 per cent on Wednesday) and are also dollar buyers consistently," Bhansali added.
