Rajasthan government employees, who joined on or after January 1, 2004, will be able to avail the old pension scheme, announced Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot while introducing the Financial Budget 2022-23 on February 23, 2022.
With 2023 Assembly elections fast approaching, Gehlot presented a three-hour long budget that focused on employment, healthcare and agriculture. He also addressed the issue of the Centre’s contributory National Pension Scheme (NPS). Government employees criticised the scheme for its limited benefits and restrictive nature compared to other schemes.
Revival of old pension scheme
To the huge relief of these employees Gehlot did away with NPS and reinstated the previous scheme. In a tweet, he said, “We all know that employees associated with government services should feel secure about their future to make their invaluable contribution towards good governance. Therefore, I announce that all employees appointed on January 1, 2004 and after will avail the old pension scheme.”
हम सभी जानते हैं सरकारी सेवाओं से जुड़े कर्मचारी भविष्य के प्रति सुरक्षित महसूस करें तभी वे सेवाकाल में सुशासन के लिए अपना अमूल्य योगदान दे सकते हैं।अतः 1 जनवरी 2004 और उसके पश्चात नियुक्त हुए समस्त कार्मिकों के लिए मैं आगामी वर्ष से पूर्व पेंशन योजना लागू करने की घोषणा करता हूं।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) February 23, 2022
With this, retired employees will get the full pension instead of the contributory scheme provisions implemented by the Centre during the UPA-led government.
According to The Hindu, after the session, Gehlot said that other states should also think about the NPS. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh also, the scheme is a major election issue. Further, he withdrew the previous government’s 2017 decision to cut the salaries of employees. He also called for the restoration of the next grade pay system with an annual burden of ₹1,000 cr on the government from the next financial year.
With regard to employment, the Chief Minister also increased the number of promotional posts and extension of benefits under the Seventh Pay Commission to employees of boards, corporations, universities and autonomous bodies.
Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme
Another major announcement was the Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme that provides employment for 100 days from next year in urban areas. This is similar to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) that guarantees employment in rural areas.
However, unlike the MGNREGS, the new scheme extends to the urban poor, bringing street vendors, dhaba workers, restaurant employees and more under its purview. This will help the economy of those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as well. Gehlot gave it a budget outlay of ₹ 800 cr. Further, it extended MGNREGS’s working days to 125.
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) Founder Nikhil Dey welcomed the decision regarding these schemes. “A welcome contrast to the negative budget of the BJP on employment guarantee,” he said in a tweet.
@jawabandolan welcomes @ashokgehlot51 announcement in @Budget2022 of an urban employment guarantee with a budget of Rs 800cr
AND the announcement of an additional 25 days of work for #MGNREGA workers. A welcome contrast to the negative budget of @BJP4India on employment guarantee— Nikhil Dey (@nikhilmkss) February 23, 2022
Focus on farmers
In line with the election mindset, Gehlot spoke about farmers’ issues that have gained widespread attention since the national peasant struggle. He presented the first-ever agriculture budget separately, wherein he raised the budget for Mukhyamantri Krishak Saathi Yojana from ₹2,000 cr to ₹5,000 cr, to implement 11 schemes relating to irrigation, organic farming, seed production, etc. on a mission mode.
4. राजस्थान मिलेट्स प्रोत्साहन मिशन
5. राजस्थान संरक्षित खेती मिशन
6. राजस्थान उद्यानिकी विकास मिशन
7. राजस्थान फसल सुरक्षा मिशन
8. राजस्थान भूमि उर्वरकता मिशन
9. राजस्थान कृषि श्रमिक संबल मिशन
10. राजस्थान कृषि तकनीक मिशन
11.राजस्थान खाद्य प्रसंस्करण मिशन#KrishiBudgetRajasthan— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) February 23, 2022
Moreover, Gehlot announced a 60 percent subsidy to one lakh farmers to set up solar pumps in the next three years for irrigation. Around ₹ 500 cr will be spent for this. Along with this, SC and ST farmers will receive an additional grant of up to ₹ 45,000. This will benefit about 50,000 SC/ST farmers and ₹ 200 cr will be spent for this, said Gehlot.
According to the New Indian Express, the government will also clear pending 3.38 lakh electricity connections to farmers at a cost of ₹ 6,700 cr. Interest-free crop loans amounting to ₹ 20,000 cr will be distributed and five lakh new farmers will be included.
Regarding healthcare, the budget proposed an increase in the health cover under the cashless Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year per family. Government health facilities should avail free-of-cost IPD and OPD services, suggested the Budget. The government will also spend ₹4,500 crore on giving power tariff subsidies to consumers in different slabs, said The Hindu.
To the joy of many civil rights groups campaigning in Rajasthan for a long time, the Budget said a Right to Service Guarantee and Accountability Bill will be brought shortly in the state. The Jawbdehi dharna campaigning for this Bill expressed hope while stating it will continue work until a law is passed.
#Breakthrough ?!
Rajasthan Chief Minster @ashokgehlot51 announces intention to pass an #accountability law in his budget announcements made today . The ongoing jawabdehi dharna will continue till the law is passed . Do lend your voice to this important demand . pic.twitter.com/jAFOru66Ib— Nikhil Dey (@nikhilmkss) February 23, 2022
Gehlot also proposed to conduct the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) in July following its recent cancellation. In light of the controversy around a leaked question paper, he said an anti-cheating cell will be set up in the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan police.
Meanwhile, the BJP voiced scepticism regarding the announcement, asking how the government will arrange for a sufficient financial source for these provisions. Already, the 200 MLAs received an Apple iPhone–13 each along with copies of budget, said NDTV. The phones would have cost the state government nearly ₹ 1.5 cr. Last year, MLAs received iPads along with the budget.
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