Rajasthan State PCS

• 10 Jul 2024

Rajasthan Aims for Self-Reliance in Power and Energy

Why in News?

The Rajasthan government aims to produce 30 gigawatt (Gw) of solar power by the end of FY25 to become self-reliant in the power and energy sector.

Key Points

• In March 2024, The state government and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) India signed an agreement to form a joint venture for setting up a 1,000 megawatt (Mw) solar power plant and a 125 MW lignite-based power plant in Bikaner, with an investment of over Rs 7,000 crore.
  • The government also approved land for four major solar projects to make the state a leader in energy self-sufficiency. 
  • The projects include three solar parks in Bikaner totaling 2,450 MW and a 500 MW project in Phalodi.
• The state is also strengthening the PM Kusum Solar pump plant, which will assist in installing solar pumps in more than 50,000 farms and produce 200 MW of electricity.
  • The initiative also encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources and plays a significant part in revitalizing the agriculture sector in the state through the implementation of solar-powered pumps.

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan)

• The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to support installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had in February 2019 approved the launch of the scheme with the objective of providing financial and water security.
• The government’s Budget for 2020-21 expanded the scope for the scheme with 20 lakh farmers to be provided assistance to install standalone solar pumps; another 15 lakh farmers to be given help to solarise their grid-connected pump sets.
• This will enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their barren lands and to sell it to the grid.

Rajasthan Budget 2024

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan's state finance minister Diya Kumari has unveiled the comprehensive Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.

Key Points

• Under Jal Jeevan Mission Projects, Rs 20,370 crores will be allotted for six projects covering 5,846 villages.
• Rs 5,180 crores for projects in 185 urban settlements over the next two years, under the Amrut 2.0 Projects.
• Rs 187 crores for small projects, including the construction of service reservoirs and pipelines in Ajmer.
• Generation target increased to 33,600 MW.
• Lok Parivahan Sewa will be implemented to improve rural connectivity.
• 208,000 homes to receive connections within two years; PM Suryaghar Yojana to create model solar villages; 2.5 million smart meters to be installed to prevent electricity leakage.
• Modern shelters and charging stations in major cities; 300 electric buses to enhance public transport.
• Rs 60,000 crores for new road projects, including bypasses, state highways, and infrastructure enhancements; Rs 9,000 crores for road repairs, railway bridges, underpasses, and beautification projects.
• Introduction of New Industrial Policy 2024 and a New Export Promotion Policy, 2024.
• Nine greenfield expressways with a total length of over 2750 km will be constructed. 
• A budget of Rs 650 crores has been allocated for setting up 71 solid waste processing plants in cities, 131 legacy waste management centers, and for implementing vehicle tracking systems and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve waste collection management.
• A budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the Jaipur Walled City Heritage Development Plan, which is intended to preserve monuments and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Heritage site.
• Under the "One District One Product" initiative, a new policy will be introduced. Annually, a budget of Rs 100 crore will be allocated for this purpose. 
  • To promote local products, incentives will be provided under the "Vocal for Local" scheme.