CM Raje announces total rebate on farmer loans’ interest
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje speaks during the presentation of annual state Budget 2015-2016 at Rajasthan Assembly in Jaipur on Monday. (Source: PTI)
Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Thursday announced tax waivers on farmer loans in the wake of rampant losses due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorm. In Raje’s reply to the ongoing budget discussion, in the state legislative assembly, she announced that farmers, who pay off their pending loans and irrigation tax by June 30, will be given 100 percent rebate on the interest.
In addition to the schemes and policies proposed in the budget earlier this month, Raje made new announcements on jobs, a health route scheme, a new mining policy, audit of power discoms, 3D mapping of heritage sites, restoration of temples, setting up of new state government aided colleges, increase in pension of legislators among others.
Raje said that the new mining announced last year has been drafted out and is set to be implemented in the coming fiscal year. As per the policy, one-third of the stipulated plot or quarry will be allotted to the resident tribal population, and if more than one application is received for a plot, it will be allotted by lottery. Also, potash mining leases will be allotted through auctions.
Adding on to the existing ambulance service, Raje announced a health route scheme, wherein ambulances will run on designated routes at specific timings to ferry patients from the interiors to the nearest community health centers and drop them back.
The state government will soon declare vacancies for 500 forest guards to be deployed in the various forest reserves.
The Raje government, which earmarked a lion’s share of the budget to develop tourism and heritage conservation, will make further provisions for temple restoration and 3D mapping of heritage sites such as Udaipur City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Kumbhalgarh.
“The Budget has been received well by every section of society. Even the Opposition must have liked it in heart of hearts. It is a budget of the 21stcentury set to put modern Rajasthan on the path of development. I dedicate this to women and farmers,” Raje told the House.
Source:: Indian Express