Rajasthan Vision 2022 :

Rajasthan is a vibrant, exotic state set against the vast backdrop of sand and desert. It has an unusual diversity in its entire form – people, customs, culture, music, dialects, cuisines and physiography. The state has not only survived with all its ethnicity, but also contributed in giving a heritage and cultural identity to India. Rajasthan today has embarked on a journey for growth and has emerged as an attractive destination, driving investments and growth in sync with the aspirations of over 50 million people. Rajasthan, for a long time, has survived on its existing strengths of mineral resources, handicrafts and tourism. The SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat) analysis of the state indicates that it has not been an aggressive state for ‘development’. In recent past, there has been an increasing concern about progress on basic long-term development goals which have been slow and somewhat disjointed. There has not been a significant up-gradation in social and human development. Hence a long-term strategic thinking and management of the development is now called for. Efforts on very specific issues have been made in the past but an integrated approach could not be developed for drawing up a Vision statement for the state. The suggested Vision framework provides one such long-term strategic approach to sustainable development and management.

This vision document does not provide details of projects and activities that are to be implemented to realize it. But it is clear that the responses have aspired it to be the Change for Responsible Development.

1. Community feeling with social and cultural pride :

The state today is reduced in community pride. The larger chunk of population does not identify itself with the state as a community. Political aspirations and demographic reasons have fragmented society. The shared emotional connection, recognition, and community involvement are few characteristics which surpass any resource and create common identity.

 Vision:  A state with strong feelings of community and state/nation hood going beyond gender, caste and religion.

 Agenda and Action: • Developing a coherent social environment which helps in binding the different castes and religious communities and removes social evils such as dowry, gender bias and exclusion of financially deprived sections. Let’s build on history. We have time even now to recall our rich background and develop from there in arts and literature. • Major cities to establish City Day for celebration of achievements and progress. And, every region to have community cum museum centre to reflect its heritage and development. • Recognise contribution of individuals, NGOs and businesses to the community with awards on the City Day. • Foundation of a City Community Board from all major sections of the society including politics, administration, academia, business, media, farming, etc. who may be involved in social inclusion, city planning and development. • An affirmative action approach to be developed for financially weaker sections to help move them into the mainstream. • Poverty elimination plan to be willfully executed to ensure no section remains below the poverty line.

Challenges and gaps :  People have become individualistic and community feeling is not significant. • Basic civic sense is not been nurtured in school and by the family. • Media’s role of a responsible and disciplined communication medium has degenerated into a platform for consumerism and sensationalism. • Religion and caste have been made tools for political benefits, causing social fragmentation.

2. Well developed infrastructure and amenities :

 Vision:  All sections of society to avail environment friendly systems fulfilling basic needs like safe drinking water, proper sanitation, electricity, effective and safe transport and affordable housing.

Agenda and Action: • Urbanisation is driving city population density to breaking point. Ten new cities could be developed in different regions as part of the regional development approach of state. These to have world class infrastructure.

Challenges and Gaps: • The effectiveness of the existing physical planning is hampered by the lack of a coordinated state development plan, inadequate resources and institutional weaknesses. • Absence of appropriate long term policy framework such as Transportation Policy, Habitation Policy, etc. • Funding has been limited and innovative methods not been worked out. • Functioning of municipal corporations is marred by politics due to its electoral process.

3. Transparent and effective governance :

 Vision: Achieving transparent, ethical and effective governance, with a strong judiciary for e a safe and secured state.

Agenda and Action: • All state political parties together to evolve and agree on a ‘Minimum Governance Programme’ for the state. The pointers for direction to include reliance on IT and egovernance, right to information, grievance handling mechanism, simplification of procedures and governance audits. • Civic education for all on citizens’ rights, responsibilities and accountability to ensure good governance. • It is felt that bureaucracy is suppressed by influential people, who are generally not accountable. Hence there should be a third party evaluation of the systems. Bureaucrats to be provided more freedom to operate and accountability to be enforced. • Minimum education and work experience must for all entrants in politics.

Challenges and Gap : • Politics is caste and religion based, encouraging entry of candidates with criminal backgrounds. . • Due to the negative perception of government functioning, quality intellect prefers the private sector. • Affirmative action to keep the inclusion agenda live and also the quality of future. • Delay in justice and punishment for law breakers is resulting in loss of confidence in governance. The police and administration are often looked upon as corrupt agencies, with society too becoming part of this network. • Absence or lack of appropriate coordination between various departments of the state administration.

4. Sustainable economic development : 

The biggest state in size and among the largest in population, demands a strong hold on economic progress for long term sustenance. The competitive advantage of Rajasthan in sectors like tourism, minerals and handicrafts gives it an edge, , with the potential to be among the top three states.

Vision : Reaching a sustainable economic position with state GDP growth of 14-15 per cent based on committed support of infrastructure, technology and manpower.

Agenda and Action:  Promote a region wide economic balance. Prudent economic incentives by government are imperative to develop and revitalize the business sector. • Develop an efficient economic infrastructure to promote and facilitate economic growth and support development. • Develop and maintain agriculture and industry corridors at many locations of state balancing regional economic development. • Few manufacturing and service set up demands high investment in research & development. Government to support such needs and work out exciting models including tax incentives. • SMEs to be promoted and special zones to be developed. This will also help in generating more employment. • One strong regulatory set-up to be established in Rajasthan (such as PFRDA) and Jaipur to be developed as financial centre for North India.

Challenges and Gaps: • Reinventing existing business parks demands very high investment and strong political will. • Manpower resource management is a serious issue as the state has not developed good quality workforce and it has not promoted migration of talent from outside into Rajasthan. • The basic infrastructure support in terms of power, transport and connectivity, water and developing new business city are critical issues. • Working environment and business culture has not been developed as state is new to the industrial revolution.

5. Agricultural independence and food security :

Rajasthan has 10.4 % of India’s land area, 50 % of which is under cultivation. This makes up for 28 % of the state’s GDP, with 66 % of population dependant on this for a livelihood.

Vision: Agriculture and livestock sector to ensure food security, develop export capacity and provide employment.

Agenda and Action: • Make use of technology and research for increasing yield, improving seed quality and enhancing productivity. • Creating network of canals to manage irrigation demand and potential. Creating support for storage, marketing and value based agri-business for farmers. • A decade of Green Revolution and Water Revolution to be launched to convert Rajasthan into a green and fertile belt, leaving 30 % desert with its separate identity. • State to develop 5 international level agriculture research labs to support increase in yield, quality seed, crop rotation system, and new crops identification. • Soil fertility to be addressed and use of chemical fertilizer to be reduced. • Animal husbandry and livestock business leadership to be achieved, with related growth of processing industry. • Use technology to create direct network of producers and buyers, keeping out middlemen. • Streamlining policies and schemes to help achieve the goal of social and economic inclusion.

Challenges and Gaps: • Lessening interest to remain in agriculture due to low returns • Irrigation and land fertility still an issue even after some committed efforts. • Lesser involvement of agriculture experts and farmers in the planning and execution process. • Misutilization of government resources and lacklustre effort to check the black market for agriculture and livestock.

6. Quality of life and human development :

Vision :  A sustainable livelihood, affordable healthcare, socially inclusive and poverty free state.

Agenda and Action : • Poverty elimination and employment opportunity for all the prime agenda for the state. Rajasthan to be a zero poverty state by 2022. • A comprehensive Economic Inclusion Policy to be developed to achieve a sustainable model through integration of employment, health and financial inclusiveness. • Health and healthcare systems - need for a well defined network of equipped doctors, nursing homes, mini hospitals and big hospitals based on coverage of population in rural and urban areas. Role of government to be central needing a redefinition of governance, responsibility and supervision

Challenges and Gaps :• Lack of infrastructure to serve the vulnerable sections. There is huge support needed in terms of finances, infrastructure, workforce and government will. • Lack of awareness and education on issues related to health, insurance coverage etc. • Lack of coordination between government, health centers, industry and educational institutions. • Malpractices and corruption in the public service delivery systems. And weak system of punishment.

7. Developing a Knowledge state :

 A state or country develops when society becomes aware of the value of education, information and knowledge which create avenues for advancement and acquire the physical and intellectual tools needed to convert the opportunities into practical accomplishments for the benefit of individual and society.

Vision: Hundred per cent literacy, quality education and research contributing to knowledge bank and skilled workforce at all levels.

Agenda and Action: • Compulsory education upto 10th standard for all without gender discrimination. Private and public institutions to be developed with appropriate capacity building. State expenditure to increase significantly on education. • Privatization to be promoted and partnership with government simplified for effective and efficient use of resources. • Capacity of local and regional teachers and trainers for primary, secondary and vocational education to be developed to prevent absenteeism, while ensuring quality. . • The aspired for economic and social developments demand few hundred ITIs and other vocational institutions for training in all major fields. Skilled workforce at all levels is a permanent asset of the state in times of industrialization, competency building and transformation.

Challenges and Gaps: • Lack of primary and secondary school infrastructure in rural areas is a bottleneck, besides its inefficient use . • Lack of quality teachers and discipline along with work culture. Low motivation towards teaching and research due to remuneration. • The present state of higher education and research is low in capacity and quality. • Education system has caste and religious bias.

 Way Forward :

The aspirations of people are very high for the state and its people, making it imperative to address the issues of concern and make sincere efforts by motivating society and exciting the official machinery. It is suggested by respondents that part of the team on VISION 2022 should continue for the long term perspective. The patronage of the main leadership of the state is of utmost importance in the realization of VISION 2022 which has the imprint of the aspirations of the Rajasthani people. There is high positivity in the people’s sentiments, huge potential as observed by experts and enough space to work and implement.