Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 1,013 development projects worth more than Rs. 28.24 bn across Barmer, Balotra, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Pali, Phalodi and Sirohi districts of the Jodhpur division. The projects cover water, electricity, roads, healthcare, education, agriculture and rural infrastructure.

Foundation stones were laid for 763 works costing more than Rs. 20.46 bn, while 250 works worth Rs. 7.78 bn were inaugurated and dedicated to the public. The completed works included 63 power-sector projects valued at Rs. 405 mn, 10 medical-sector projects worth Rs. 197 mn and 87 road projects costing Rs. 125 mn.

Addressing a programme at Bachhdau in Barmer, Sharma said the state government was pursuing development initiatives intended to extend public services to the last mile. In view of low rainfall, he announced that emergency drinking water arrangements and tanker supplies would continue until December 31, while district collectors could approve emergency works costing up to Rs. 10 mn.

The government will also open fodder depots in Barmer, Balotra and Jaisalmer. Sharma said water security remained a priority, with the Ram Jal Setu Link Project progressing and work orders worth Rs. 410 bn issued against an estimated project cost of Rs. 1 tn. He added that the Yamuna Water Project, Narmada Project and Kishau Project would support drinking water security across Rajasthan.

The annual assistance to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi has increased from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 9,000, while more than Rs. 144 bn has been transferred to 760,000 farmers. The government has identified 1,800,000 Lakhpati Didis and 25,000 Solar Didis, and provided Rs. 9.28 bn in loans to more than 57,000 self-help groups. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, 382,000 houses have been completed and 453,000 are under construction.