Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari said in the assembly on Tuesday that a mobile app will soon be launched by the state government to provide all necessary facilities to tourists. The app will allow tourists to access information about the nearest police stations, hospitals, tourist attractions, transport options, and other essential details.
She mentioned that Tourist Assistance Force (TAF) booths have been set up at Jantar-Mantar, Jal Mahal, Amer, Hawa Mahal, and Albert Hall to assist tourists and provide them with necessary support. The TAF takes action regularly and ensures that tourists receive proper assistance. She informed the assembly that in 2022, TAF responded to 236 complaints, 311 in 2023, and 541 in 2024. Last year, action was taken against 170 touts in Jaipur. To ensure tourists’ convenience, the state government increased the number of TAF employees from 139 to 250 in December 2024. The Tourism Minister made these statements while responding to supplementary questions asked by MLA Balmukund Acharya during the Question Hour. She emphasised that it is the priority of the state government to develop and preserve the tourist destinations of the state. In this regard, the state government allocated a budget of Rs 100 crores for the development of the walled city of Jaipur in 2024-25.
Leader Of Opposition Questions Food Security Figures In Assembly
During the Question Hour, MLA Anita Bhadel asked about the applications received under the food security scheme in Ajmer city. In response, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara stated that 5,512 applications had been received, of which more than 1,000 had been approved, and 3,680 applications were still pending. In a supplementary question, Anita Bhadel asked what would happen to the remaining applications. Godara assured that the Chief Minister had instructed that no one should be deprived of food security. He also mentioned that the portal had been opened on January 26, and new names have been added since then. He noted that under the BJP government, 21 lakh 87 thousand new names have been added to the food security list. Following this, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Juli pointed out a discrepancy between the pending applications and the approved ones, asking for clarification. However, the minister could not provide an answer. When the Speaker moved to the next question, Juli remarked that the government had failed to provide a complete answer.
Expansion Work Of RBM Hospital To Be Completed By June: Khinvsar
Medical Education Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, while answering questions during the Question Hour, confirmed that the expansion work of RBM Hospital in Bharatpur will be completed by June this year. He assured that after the completion of construction, vacant posts will be filled, and super-specialty facilities will be introduced. He also mentioned that a penalty would be imposed on the contractor for the delay in construction. The financial approval for the expansion was Rs 154.62 crores, of which Rs 123.20 crores has already been paid. The construction work was supposed to begin on December 17, 2021, and finish by June 2023. However, the contractor started the work on December 27, 2021, and failed to meet the original deadline. The contractor has now been asked to complete the work by June 30, 2025. A penalty of Rs 30 lakh was imposed on the contractor on February 28, 2025, for the delay. The minister stated that a committee would be formed to decide on any further penalties.
10% Increase In Ration Dealers’ Commission: Godara
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara informed the assembly that the commission for ration dealers has been increased by 10% in the current year’s budget. This increase aligns with the Chief Minister’s motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” Ration dealers will now receive a commission of Rs 150.70 per quintal, up from the previous rate of Rs 137 per quintal.
Land Marking Process For Transfer Of Central Jail Underway: Bedam
Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam announced that the process of marking land for the transfer of Central Jail Jaipur from the densely populated area is underway. The department has written to the District Collector for land identification. He assured the House that once the land is identified, steps will be taken to shift prisoners to the new location. The current capacity of Central Jail Jaipur is 1,173, but the number of prisoners has reached 1,751. To manage the overcrowding, prisoners are sent to other prisons as needed. Bedam made these remarks in response to supplementary questions posed by MLA Kalicharan Saraf during the Question Hour.
The forum also saw the release of the IFC Document Reference Guide for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Projects. This guide offers valuable insights into various business models for processing municipal solid waste, including innovative waste-to-electricity, biomethanation, and bioremediation techniques. It provides municipalities and private-sector players with the tools to implement economically viable and sustainable waste management solutions.
Another significant development at the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This partnership aims to foster scientific research and innovative technologies to improve urban waste management across India, facilitating a more efficient approach to handling waste in cities.
In addition, the event saw the release of ‘India’s Circular Sutra: A Compendium of Best Practices in 3R & Circular Economy’, which showcases successful case studies and best practices in the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework. This document provides valuable insights to urban local bodies and stakeholders working to implement circular economy solutions.
