Finance Minister Diya Kumari will present the budget, a box of gifts will open for Rajasthan

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly today at 11:00 AM. This marks the third budget of the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led administration, framed around the vision of 'Viksit Rajasthan @2047'. The budget aims to address the aspirations of the youth, farmers, and women while focusing on long-term infrastructure development. The presentation was preceded by high security and the arrival of 225 copies of the budget documents at the assembly premises.

Employment and Youth-Centric Initiatives

A primary focus of the 2026-27 budget is the creation of employment opportunities. According to government sources, the budget outlines a plan for approximately 1 lakh new government recruitments in the coming year. To streamline the process, the government intends to release a dedicated recruitment calendar to ensure timely examinations and results. Also, provisions have been made for skill development programs and incentives for private sector investments to foster an ecosystem for startups and self-employment among the state's youth.

Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure

The budget places significant emphasis on the agricultural sector and rural development. Substantial funding has been allocated for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) to address the state's water security needs. The government has proposed increased subsidies for modern farming equipment, irrigation facilities, and animal husbandry. In rural areas, the focus remains on improving road connectivity and expanding the reach of clean drinking water schemes. New green projects and water conservation initiatives have also been introduced to promote environmental sustainability.

Social Welfare and Urban Development

For women's empowerment, the budget introduces specialized self-employment schemes and enhanced security measures. There is a proposed increase in social security pensions and an expansion of healthcare services to reach the last mile. In terms of urban infrastructure, the budget includes provisions for the expansion of the Metro rail network and the development of smart city projects. The government also aims to strengthen the food security net by increasing the allocation for essential commodity distribution systems across the state.

Opposition Criticism and Fiscal Concerns

The opposition has raised serious concerns regarding the state's fiscal health and the implementation of previous budget promises. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully stated that only 26% of the announcements from the last two budgets have been fulfilled. He criticized the government for the rising debt, claiming that the per capita debt in Rajasthan has reached approximately ₹1 lakh. MLA Rohit Bohra highlighted the government's move to sign MoUs with the Bank of Maharashtra and Bank of Baroda for loans worth ₹40000 crore, questioning the sustainability of borrowing to meet expenditure.

Analysis and Conclusion

According to financial analysts, the Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 attempts to balance welfare spending with the necessity of infrastructure growth. While the 'Viksit Rajasthan @2047' vision sets a clear long-term trajectory, the immediate challenge lies in managing the fiscal deficit and ensuring the effective execution of announced projects. The symbolic change in the budget bag's color to saffron has also drawn political attention. Ultimately, the success of this budget will be measured by its ability to translate these financial allocations into tangible socio-economic improvements for the citizens of Rajasthan.