Jaipur 8th August : The Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded that the Centre declare the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as a national project and increase financial aid for various centrally-sponsored schemes.He addressed the 7th session of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday.
Gehlot has been threatening indirectly the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “forgetting” the promises made to the state , leading to verbal duels with the Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on several occasions.The latest time was when he made his demands directly in the face of Modi.
In the meeting that was presided over by Modi, Gehlot strongly presented the issues pertaining to his state.He stated that ERCP is an ambitious plan of $37,000 that will aid in enhancing irrigation capabilities in the area of approximately 2 lakh acres in 13 districts of Rajasthan.
He stated that the eastern part of Rajasthan is a major area in the manufacturing of oilseeds.Apart from that declaring it a national project will also help solve the water shortage issues in these areas.
In announcing to the prime minister of his earlier pledges of adopting a positive attitude with the project the chief minister stated that the project will aid in the successful execution of Jal Jeevan Mission.
There is a greater financial burden for states as a result of changes in the pattern of financial participation in various centrally-sponsored plans, he said.
He requested the Centre extend the time of GST reimbursement by five years, until June 2027.Then, let the GST compensation of approximately $3,780 crore in one lump sum in 2017-18.
Gehlot claimed that Rajasthan has been recognized as an example state in the area of providing medical services for free to the general population.The whole treatment process is offered at no cost of cost, and all tests are being carried out for free of charge in all hospitals of the government under the ‘Nirogi Rajassa Yojana’.
“Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana is the next step in this direction, in which 88 per percent of households in the state are given with insurance protection.Rajasthan is at the top of the list in this category in the whole nation.As part of the program, 1.34 crore families are receiving free treatment in private and public hospitals.
As of now more than Rs.2,202 crore has been spent caring for 18 lakh patients.The option for heart, liver and kidney transplants are offered in this scheme.He asked that the Centre increase the scope of the ‘Ayushmanbharat Swasthya Bharat Bi Yojana’ to match the requirements of the scheme.
Gehlot also called for an increase in the assistance for farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Nidhi Yojana.
He stated that the Rajasthan government has provided the benefit of $1,000 per month in electricity subsidies to every farmer’s family and has also formulated an agricultural budget.
He suggested the federal government must increase its contribution to 75 percent of all the agriculture-related schemes.
The Chief Minister requested an additional award for the colleges being established in designated zones in the state similar to the ones that are established in North Eastern states and to create an Global University in Rajasthan.
The Chief Minister in the meeting demanded that the state take action on the recommendation of giving central aid of 400 crores to Digital University in Rajasthan by the 15th Finance Commission.He declared that the State Government is ready to invest Rs 200 crore to establish the Digital Fintech University in Jodhpur.
arc/shb/
