Another Cong-era scheme ends, BJP govt discontinues ₹100cr CM area development plan

Jaipur: Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP govt in Rajasthan on Friday officially discontinued the previous Congress govt's ‘Chief Minister Area Development Scheme (CMADS)' with effect from the financial year 2024-25. The finance department approved the discontinuation of the scheme on Nov 13.The scheme, launched in 2021-22, was allocated Rs 100 crore annually to carry out development works in rural areas based on recommendations by district collectors. An official told TOI on condition of anonymity that the BJP govt plans to rechristen the scheme as ‘Shyama Prasad Mukherjee District Development Scheme', and incorporate certain provisions of the scheme being put out of action.The Chief Minister Area Development Scheme was launched to improve infrastructure and rural development in remote and underdeveloped areas of the state. It aimed to provide local people with clean drinking water, healthcare, education, roads and other basic facilities. The scheme stressed development projects based on local needs and public participation to create model villages.The CMADS is among a list of schemes either discontinued or renamed by the Bhajan Lal Sharma govt since it was elected to office in Dec 2023.