Rajasthan to push tourism and industrial policies, getting central help: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma

It has been over nine months since Bhajan Lal Sharma-a first-time legislator-became the chief minister of Rajasthan. With many senior BJP leaders holding positions in the Union cabinet and in the party organisation, Sharma said he gets support from all for state-related work.

Talking to ET here on the sidelines of his meetings with various stakeholders for the upcoming Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, to be held in Jaipur on December 9-11, Sharma shared his visions and plans for the state's development and overall growth.



Focusing on capital expenditure to create assets and jobs, his government has announced nine greenfield expressways in the state. It has expedited land-approved work orders and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹10,500 crore, he said.

"We will soon unveil new industrial and tourism policies, and policies for a dozen other sectors," Sharma added.

Talking about the summit, the chief minister said his government has signed MoUs worth ₹12.5 trillion, mainly in renewable energy and cement. These investments should help create a million new jobs, besides 400,000 government jobs. The state government has appointed 23 Rajasthan cadre IAS officers to reach out to investors in 23 countries and also 19 officers to attract investors from various states in the country.


On filling up vacancies, Sharma said the government has issued 33,000 appointment letters and are filling up another 90,000 government vacancies. He said his government's decision to reduce VAT on diesel by ₹7.60 and on petrol by ₹6.17 per litre and reduce tax on aviation turbine fuel to 2% from 26% led to a rise in revenue and also opening up new avenues.

Of many leaders senior to him in the Union government and organisation, Sharma said he has worked in the BJP organisations for several decades and has had good equations with all the senior leaders. "It continues to be such. I have received help from Union ministers Gajendra Shekhawat, Bhupender Yadav and Arjun Ram Meghwal and guidance from Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla whenever I have sought assistance."