Rajasthan’s Green Budget 2025-26: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth or Just Another Fiscal Mirage?
The desert state of Rajasthan just rolled out its first-ever *Green Budget* for 2025-26, and if you’re expecting another dry government document, think again. Deputy CM Diya Kumari slapped down a ₹27,854 crore blueprint that promises to juggle economic growth, job creation, and ecological sustainability—all while keeping the sandstorms at bay. On paper, it’s a masterclass in balancing ledgers and carbon footprints. But let’s dust off the hype and see if this budget’s got real traction or if it’s just fiscal quicksand.
—
Renewables: Solar Dreams or Subsidy Smoke?
Rajasthan’s betting big on solar energy, and why not? The state’s got more sunlight than a detective’s interrogation lamp. The budget earmarks hefty funds to ramp up solar infrastructure, aiming to slash carbon emissions and—here’s the kicker—propel Rajasthan toward CM Bhajan Lal Sharma’s *$350 billion economy* fantasy by 2030.
But hold the confetti. Solar’s been the golden child of Indian renewables for years, yet bureaucratic red tape and land disputes have left many projects gathering dust. Will this budget finally cut through the inertia? The inclusion of *nine new expressways* wrapped in “green infrastructure” jargon sounds slick, but let’s see if contractors actually plant trees instead of just paving over scrubland.
And then there’s the *Kisan Samman Nidhi* bump to ₹9,000 and MSP hikes for wheat. Sure, farmers get crumbs, but will solar panels offset the groundwater they’re pumping to grow crops in a desert? The budget’s silent on that arithmetic.
—
Water Wars: Pipelines or Pipe Dreams?
Here’s where the plot thickens. Rajasthan plans to *supply drinking water to 20 lakh homes*—a noble goal in a state where villages still queue for tankers. But dig deeper: where’s the water coming from? The budget’s mum on desalination tech or reviving ancient *johads* (rainwater tanks). Instead, it’s all pipes and pumps, which, as any desert dweller knows, can evaporate faster than a politician’s promise.
Meanwhile, the *Single Window – One Stop Shop* for 149 online permits sounds like a win for businesses—until you remember Rajasthan’s *ease of doing business* rank (hint: it’s not topping charts). If approvals still take longer than a camel’s commute, this “green tape” might just strangle growth.
—
Jobs: Green Collars or Red Tape?
The budget boasts *1.25 lakh government jobs and 1.50 lakh private gigs*—enough to make any unemployed grad perk up. But here’s the rub: how many are *actually* green jobs? Solar installers? Water conservationists? Or just more paper-pushers in eco-labeled offices?
And let’s talk about that *₹60,000 crore expressway splurge*. Sure, smoother roads boost commerce, but if they’re built by diesel-guzzling bulldozers, are they really “green”? The budget’s silent on emissions from construction—a glaring omission in a climate-conscious era.
—
Case Closed? Not So Fast.
Rajasthan’s Green Budget is a bold play, no doubt. It ticks all the right boxes: renewables, water, jobs. But like a detective’s hunch, the devil’s in the *delivery*. Will solar farms rise without land disputes? Will water reach faucets without draining aquifers? And will jobs materialize beyond press releases?
For now, the state’s painted a vision where economic growth and sustainability hold hands. But in the gritty trenches of implementation, that vision could fade faster than a mirage on a desert highway. One thing’s clear: Rajasthan’s betting the farm on green. Let’s see if the harvest matches the hype. Case adjourned—for now.
发表回复