Energy:

The State Government is conscious of the fact that energy security is by far the most important link in securing the future of the state. Moreover, this government is extremely conscious to the requirements of the environment and in this backdrop has set for itself an ambitious target of 25 GW Solar Power Generation capacity. In order to facilitate and achieve this target, the state recently has announced the Solar Energy Policy, 2014. This document aims to promote setting up of Solar Parks in the state sector, private sector and through public private partnerships. Fast track approvals are in-built in the scheme and establishment of solar parks on private lands without the complexity of land conversion is now permitted. Eligibility criteria have been easened and processing of proposals has been made simple. The policy also allows these projects to obtain priority ‘Consents’ from the Pollution Control Board for being under Green Category. The government is consciously promoting solar water pumps and a policy also has provisions of allowing farmers to set up solar power park on their holdings or to sublet the land for this purpose thereby generating supplementary income for the farming households. Government land, if available, can be made available for the solar power generation at DLC rates.

In order to bring in efficiencies in power distribution, the government has been consulting with experts to arrive at an appropriate model of privatization without unduly upsetting existing personnel. This should lead to an improvement in financial health of power distribution companies. The state is engaged in a dialogue with the union government about a Financial Restructuring Plan for the power utilities.

The oil and gas strikes in the western desert have opened up opportunities in clean energy. Rajasthan is looking at gas grids in strategic locations and these will include both domestic cooking gas and liquefied natural gas for transportation. Agreements with GAIL and GSPCL are in place.

Roads:

Goods roads are the primary catalysts for growth in any economy. The State Government appreciates role of quality roads and draws its encouragement from the NDA-1 initiatives of Golden Quadrilateral and East-West Corridor Programmes and from its own positive experience (2003-2008) in PPP in development of North-South connections between National Highways through the RIDCOR model. Now, the state has set the bar even higher and has a target of having 20,000 Kms. of quality road network through PPP. This time round, the focus shall be on better interfacing and contract management, which will lead to on-time execution and cost savings. State Highways Authority is shall to be in place soon. This authority will enjoy powers to regulate traffic thereby making driving a safe and enjoyable exercise.

Water:

On one hand, Rajasthan is the country’s most arid state. Yet, significant quantities of water flow out of the state. The State Government carried out a detailed consultative exercise and decided to adopt the ‘4 waters concept’ and treat every watershed to allow maximum in situ conservation of rain water through wide spread vegetative measures alongwith a series of scientifically determined structures located strategically to make annual streams perennial. Efforts are underway to interlink river basins in the state so that surplus water from one basin can be transferred to the deficit basin. This, is an appropriate solution to seasonal drinking water crises. Laying of drinking water grids will allow easy off-take from surface sources, thereby giving ground water aquifers a chance to recharge.

The state government it is installing RO plants in villages with poor water quality so that locals can access clean drinking water. This scheme is also on offer as a PPP scheme as well as approved as a CSR activity.

The State Government is also engaging proactively with the Union Government and the neighboring states to arrive at amicable resolution of water sharing disputes and early completion of projects with inter-state ramifications.

Investment Promotion:

The State Government has also announced the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme, 2014 (RIPS 14). A variety of encouraging provisions have been made which include subsidy on taxes, exemption from duties and fees and more. RIPS 2014 aims on promoting education, skill development, industrial parks, hospitality sector, textiles (including technical textiles), ceramics, cement, ITES etc. subject to certain conditionalities.

The success of bringing in foreign investment between 2003-08 encouraged the present government to take the message of Rajasthan’s value as an investment destination beyond the shores of this country. Negotiations are underway for the second exclusive Japanese Industrial Area, a dedicated South Korean Industrial Area and dedicated areas for defense sub-system manufacturers and ceramics. The reform agenda has caught the imagination of the global investor and enquiries are pouring in from North America, Europe and South-East Asia. The second edition of the Resurgent Rajasthan Business Meet will be held at Jaipur in November 2015 and as a build up to this event, road shows shall be moving to important cities in India and abroad. Moreover, a set of carefully planned out events shall keep the interest flowing and 2015 shall see the CII Partnership Summit, the Great Indian Travel Bazar and more. In course of the Resurgent Rajasthan Summit, dedicated sessions shall be organized for the medium, small and micro-enterprises sector whose potential in growth and employment in the state is immense. The state is looking for investment from abroad not just in manufacturing and services but also at partnerships in waste management, hospitality, urban renewal, urban transportation, clean energy, minerals and mines, drinking water supply, food processing and agri-business etc.

A significant portion (40%) of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) shall pass through Rajasthan. This opens up a variety of opportunities and the state government shall be partnering with the Union Government initiatives of developing smart cities, logistic hubs, transportation infrastructure and human resource development facilities in the vicinity of DMIC so that the growing demand of the corridor can be seamlessly met and at the same time, access to livelihood opportunities generated. It is in this region that knowledge based industries will have the best potential.

Education

One of the path breaking initiatives of the BJP government in Rajasthan (2003-08) was re-introduction of English learning in government schools. In the 5 years after 2008 this sector saw categorical neglect. Now, the State Government is working to a bring about an all round improvement in the quality of instruction imparted.

Emphasis now is on ‘learning outcomes’ and repeated assessments are being considered in various classes. The Government is working over time to clear up the various complexities a litigations related to employment of teachers and very soon man power shortage issues shall be addressed.

The State is committed to wise use of Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyaan funds for improvement of school education infrastructures.

Health

Rajasthan, is gaining more and more attention as a medical tourism destination. The state is making a concerted effort to promote the health care and medical education sectors in a big way. While the government supports investment in medical education and manufacturing, it also seek partnerships so that the citizens enjoy a better quality of healthcare.

Realizing the magnitude of the health care challenge, the government initiated what were perhaps the first steps in improving super specialty care in government referral hospitals. It was between 2003 and 2008 that Rajasthan saw dedicated Cath Labs and Cardiac care units in government hospitals and also modern diagnostic facilities in the PPP mode. It was then that the nucleus of the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences was created.

As on date Rajasthan has 8 government medical colleges (1400 seats for MBBS) and 4 private medical colleges (with 550 MBBS seats). The number of postgraduate doctors being produced is 839 at present while and there are 90 super specialization seats (DM/MCH). As of 1st of January 2014 the Rajasthan Medical Council had 34200 MBBS doctors registered with them. This translates into 1 doctor per 2000 population. As an early step in capacity addition, 7 more medical colleges are coming up with 700 MBBS seats. The government also intends to significantly increase the number of seats in post graduation and super specialization levels.

The Government of Rajasthan firmly believes in continuous learning as a tool to fine tune professional skills and the plans include establishing linkages and tie ups with renowned hospitals of national and international repute so that doctors and health care managers get to further hone their skills for quality patient care.

Governments have a major role in disease prevention and prophylaxis. Life style and non-communicable disease are on the rise and they drain private and government resources. The Government is looking at increasing access of patients to quality cancer care and to this end aims to set up state of art cancer institutes in Rajasthan University of Health sciences in Jaipur and also in Bikaner and Jhalawar.

The Government is also considering focused programmes on awareness against life style disease and sustained efforts in controlling water and vector borne ailments. In the future course of action, up-gradation of laboratories to NABL standards is also included.