Rajasthan Assembly: Heated Debate Over Gangster Threats And Extortion Demands

The proceedings of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on February 24 were dominated by concerns over law and order, specifically the rising threats from gangsters to traders and the general public. During the Zero Hour, the house witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches over the issue of extortion and public safety. Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati raised the matter with urgency, demanding stringent action against organized crime syndicates operating within the state. He emphasized that to restore public confidence and eliminate the atmosphere of fear, the state must resort to decisive measures, including encounters of notorious gangsters.

Uproar Over Gangster Threats and Extortion Issues

Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Ravindra Singh Bhati questioned the state government's strategy in tackling the menace of extortion calls received by businessmen. In response, Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, asserted that the current administration has taken effective steps to curb gangster activities since assuming office, while the Minister triggered a protest from the opposition when he remarked that the previous Congress government had allowed a 'Jungle Raj' to prevail in the state. Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully strongly objected to this statement, accusing the government of failing to protect citizens. Jully demanded a dedicated discussion on the issue of extortion, following which the Speaker assured the house of a 30-minute special discussion on the matter.

Dispute Over Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit Expenditure

A significant confrontation occurred between Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and Tika Ram Jully regarding the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit. Jully questioned the government's commitment to the project, pointing out that out of the allocated ₹100 crore budget, only approximately ₹2 lakh had been spent over the last two years. He accused the government of using the name of the legendary warrior only for political gains without implementing actual development on the ground. Deputy CM Diya Kumari countered the allegations, stating that the planning and tendering processes for such large-scale circuits are complex and time-consuming. She reiterated the government's dedication to developing sites associated with Maharana Pratap and dismissed the opposition's claims as factually incomplete.

Deliberations on Energy and Food Department Grant Demands

The assembly also deliberated on the grant demands for the Energy and Food and Civil Supplies departments. BJP MLA Pabbaram Bishnoi proposed a 'voluntary give-up' campaign for the free electricity scheme. He suggested that individuals who are financially capable of paying their electricity bills should be encouraged to opt out of the subsidy, ensuring that state resources are directed toward the truly needy. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Kalicharan Saraf highlighted the high cost of industrial electricity in Rajasthan. He argued that the current rates are higher than those in neighboring states, which adversely affects the competitiveness of local industries, while saraf urged the government to review the tariff structure to support industrial growth and employment.

Controversy Over Mobile Veterinary Unit Data and Land Allotment

The Animal Husbandry department faced scrutiny over the operational data of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVU). Minister Joraram Kumawat presented figures regarding the number of animals treated, which were immediately contested by the opposition. Opposition members alleged discrepancies in the data, claiming that the units weren't visible on the ground. The Minister clarified that the statistics included animals treated during special medical camps organized across the state, while in another development, Shatrughan Gautam, the MLA from Kekri, raised allegations of irregularities in the allotment of pasture land in Ajmer district. He claimed that land meant for grazing was diverted through improper channels, prompting the government to order a high-level inquiry into the matter.

BJP Strategy Meeting and Vasundhara Raje's Attendance

The day began with a high-level meeting of the BJP Legislature Party chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The meeting focused on formulating a strategy to counter the opposition's narrative and effectively present the government's legislative agenda, while notably, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje attended the assembly session for the first time this season. Her arrival was marked by interactions with several MLAs across party lines. Raje, who had been absent during the initial days of the budget session, participated in the day's proceedings and held informal discussions with colleagues, while the session concluded with the government preparing to address the specific concerns raised during the departmental grant discussions.