The Bhajan Lal cabinet , in its first meeting announced for the postponement of Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Mains examination. Thousands of aspirants were on agitation demanding postponement of examination. The RAS mains examinations were scheduled on January 27-28, 2024. Now it is likely to be held in June-July. Aspirants were complaining of giving less time for preparation for the RAS mains examinations, which paves the way to state civil, police and other subordinate services. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission, which conducts RAS and other state level service exam examinations, will be asked to bring annual recruitment calendar on the lines of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The cabinet in the first meeting also adopted the BJP poll manifesto – Sankalp Patra – as government policy document. It has also approved the 100-days work plan of different departments.
The cabinet also announced to restore pension of 1120 prisoners detained under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). The congress government discontinues the pension while BJP government restore the pension of such prisoners who BJP called Loktanta ke Sainani. The government gives a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 besides free travelling in roadways bus. The pensioners will get medical facility worth Ra 4,000 per month.
Health minister Kirodi Lal Meena said that the government will table a Bill on this so that even if government changes, the pension for MISA detainees remains unaffected.
The cabinet also decided to constitute a committee to review the policy decisions taken by former Gehlot government in its last six months. The committee will have to submit its report within three months.
The cabinet also decided to provide one subsidised gas cylinder worth Rs 450 per month to 72 lakh poor families. Apart from that poor and destitutes will get 600 gm food instated of earlier 450 gm in Annapurna Rasoi. The name Indira Rasoi has been changed and so the price. Now each plate will cost Rs 30 instead of earlier Rs 25. The government will give a subsidy of Rs 22 keeping the effective price for poor to be Rs 8 a plate. However, millets, chapati, dal and vegetables have been included in the menu.
The cabinet meeting, which lasted one hour, started after formal pooja. People in the Rajasthan secretariat said that this is for the first time in last 33 years that a pooja was organised before the commencement cabinet meeting.
The BuckStopper, run by a group of seasoned journalists, holds the powerful accountable. The buck stops with them, as they cannot shrug off their official responsibilities.
