Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje met the Union Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi on Wednesday and held detailed discussions on several issues related to the International Border in Rajasthan, development of border areas, soldiers’ welfare and setting-up of Sainik Schools etc.

Smt. Raje pointed that in the border districts of Bikaner, Churu, Sriganganagar, Jalore, Barmer and Jaisalmer of about 3765 kilometers of roads, which was maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, some portion was in dilapidated condition. Particularly, Anupgarh-Suratgarh section of the road was in very bad shape, she said and demanded for immediate repair works at 25 roads measuring about 634 kilometers. She also suggested an alternative of providing additional grant of about 352 crores rupees to the state’s Public Works Department to maintain these roads.

The Chief Minister welcomed the proposal of establishing Army’s aviation airstrip in Sriganganagar district and requested that Indian Army should prioritize the development works for basic facilities in schools, hospitals etc. in the border districts as a part of their social concerns and responsibilities. She also asked the Defence Minister to start already approved Sainik Schools in Jhunjhunun and Alwar districts of the state from next academic session.

Smt. Raje said that Rajasthan was an ideal state for defense related production. Neemrana and Japanese Zone of Khushkheda were already producing electronic equipments. On similar lines, for strengthening defence system of the country by way of producing defence-related equipments through the state enterprises, the Ministry of Defence should initiate investment in Rajasthan, she said. She also suggested to give a serious thinking for spreading out of research activities through the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The CM informed Shri Parrikar that soldiers from several districts of Rajasthan were guarding the national borders and were also frontrunners in laying their lives for the country. She shared details of the efforts made by the state government for welfare of soldiers. She also requested for allocation of additional funds for support to widows of soldiers, extension of Sainik Rest Houses and other works related to soldiers’ welfare.

New Delhi/Jaipur, May 13 2015