Raj budget focuses on welfare schemes, infrastructure: CM

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said the Rajasthan budget focuses on welfare schemes and infrastructure and accused the opposition of trying to mislead the people by "distorting" facts about the state's finances
Replying to a debate on the budget speech in the Assembly, she said the allocations under it were higher as compared to the previous government's budget.
Compared to the average annual allocation between 2009-2013, the budget for 2016-2017 sees a much higher outlay in the infrastructure sector, varying from 88 per cent to 192 per cent, she said.
In areas of social infrastructure like healthcare, education, skill development and employment, the average increase is between 142 per cent and 687 per cent, she added.

In sectors of rural development, panchayati raj, watershed, agriculture, the average increase ranges from 30 per cent to 208 per cent.
On allegations by the Opposition that the figures in budget were "different" from those mentioned in the Governor's address, she said that it was "nothing new".

Between 2010 and 2013, there were 17 instances wherein there were differences in the Governor's address and the budget proposals.
Raje said the Governor's address is prepared based on the figures available till December 31, whereas the budget proposals use figures of February onwards, so small difference in figures do crop up.
She also cited examples to buttress her point and clarified that neither was anyone "mislead" nor any "misreporting done".

The chief minister said the allegation by the opposition that only Rs 50 crore are available with the government in its account, was a "blatant lie" aimed at "fostering unrest".
She assured that the government has "sufficient cash" with it and condemned such "distorted claims" while asking the opposition to "do their homework" prior to making such a claim.
Raje also informed the house that other than the balance in the current account with the RBI, the cash balance in hand is also accounted for.
As on March 31, 2015 apart from Rs 50.86 crore in the current account, financial details of over Rs 7,600 crore are also available with the government.

Raje also said her government has ordered to prepare special 'girdawari' (assessment) report to assess the crop losses due to the recent hailstorm in the state in 1,265 villages in 21 districts.