Raj govt faces backlash over unfulfilled Budget promises

Jaipur: As Rajasthan prepares to present its state Budget on Feb 19, several key promises from the previous year's Budget remain unfulfilled, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition. The govt is yet to make progress on building new institutions, constructing the state's longest elevated road, generating 1 lakh jobs, developing Greenfield expressways, implementing the AVGC-XR policy, and utilising the Rs 100 crore startup fund. The delayed execution of these projects has raised concerns over governance and fiscal planning, with Opposition leaders questioning the state's ability to deliver on its commitments.One of the most ambitious projects, the elevated road on JLN Marg, was stalled due to technical and administrative issues. It also faced criticism for potentially ruining Jaipur's skyline. BJP MLA (Malviya Nagar) Kalicharan Saraf said, "We raised concerns that an elevated road on JLN Road would affect the city's skyline. Now, the govt is reconsidering its location, which could be causing the delay." Similarly, the expansion of Jaipur's airport terminal, which was expected to enhance connectivity and tourism, has not progressed as planned.The govt's pledge to create 1 lakh jobs has also faced hurdles. While vacancies for 90,000 positions were announced, only 50,000 have been filled so far. A BJP leader, defending the govt's progress, stated, "The remaining vacancies will be filled in due time. Since the Budget was announced in July, we still have time. By the end of July, we expect to complete the recruitment process." However, Opposition leaders argue that the govt has failed to deliver on its employment commitments within a reasonable timeframe.On the environmental front, chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched the ambitious ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign in Sept, aiming to plant seven crore trees. However, no official audit was conducted to verify whether the target was met or if funds were utilised effectively. Critics argue that without accountability, such announcements remain mere rhetoric rather than actionable plans. The much-anticipated Rs 100 crore Khatu Shyam Ji Temple development project has also seen little progress. While a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was initiated in Jan 2025, actual construction work has not begun. Additionally, the One State, One Election committee, formed to explore electoral reforms, has yet to produce a comprehensive report, despite receiving budget allocations in the previous session.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said, "The Opposition is reacting as if they have never presented a Budget before. Many budgetary announcements have already been implemented, while others are in progress. Some projects, particularly those related to infrastructure, require time for execution. Our govt is fully committed to fulfilling all budgetary promises. Moreover, our deadline for completing and delivering these projects extends until July 2025."Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has accused the govt of failing to implement critical welfare schemes. He pointed out that housing for denotified and nomadic tribes, a key promise made in the Budget, is yet to materialise. Similarly, the target of connecting water taps in 25,000 villages under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is unmet, while the goal of enrolling 15 lakh women under the Lakhpati Didi scheme has not been fulfilled. Jully criticised the govt for making claims of fulfilling 80-90% of the budgetary provisions without backing them with transparent audits. "We demand an official audit of these promises to reveal the actual work done," he said. With the Budget session set to begin, the opposition is expected to push for greater accountability and clarity on unfulfilled commitments.