Jaipur, Feb 12 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday kept farmers' interest in mind while announcing the final budget before the state assembly elections.
No new taxes have been imposed in the current budget.
Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced one-time loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000 for small and marginal farmers in the state, which would cost Rs 8,000 crore to the exchequer.
She also announced setting up of a farmers' loan relief commission where farmers can approach and present their side for getting relief on merit basis.
The Chief Minister announced a new scheme named after late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, under which Rs 2 lakh interest free loan will be provided for the self-employed in the unorganised sector. This has been a long pending demand of Rajputs.
Under the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Swarojgar Antodaya Yojana, 50,000 families will get upto Rs 50,000 interest-free loan.
Rs 1 lakh insurance has been declared for Bhamasah card holders.
It was also announced that state women employees will get two years' child care leave.
She also announced funds worth Rs 33.25 crore for renovation of 19 historical buildings. A new museum will come up at Bundi.
According to the Chief Minister, Amer Fort will be developed as an iconic destination with Rs 20 crore funds.
She also announced subsidised meals under Annapurna scheme to be provided at all collectorate offices.
Raje announced funds worth Rs 55 crore for a tunnel to connect Ajmer-Pushkar.
She declared Rs 91 crore to be spent for setting up a counter terrorism centre at Sardar Patel Police University in Jodhpur.
The Chief Minister announced free travel for people above 80 years of age and one attendee on half fare in state roadways buses.
She announced Rs 25 lakh for player Nagarkoti, who was part of India's Under 19 team. Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
A Youth Icon scheme has been announced to promote sports in the state.
Free WiFi facilities will be provided in state universities. Eight new ITIs to be opened in the state. Sanitary pads will be distributed in all government schools.
Driving licence and vehicle registration will go paperless.
Highways and mega-highways will be converted into emergency landing places, she added.
