NITI Aayog member calls Rajasthan 'Achiever State', praises drinking water and rural development

Jaipur, June 22 (IANS) NITI Aayog Member Prof. K.V. Raju has described Rajasthan as an “Achiever State”, praising its progress in drinking water supply and rural development. 

He also highlighted the state's vast potential in tourism, agriculture, mining and solar energy, advocating technology-driven databases to better capture the contribution of these sectors to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Prof. Raju further emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of government schemes, capacity building and broader surveys of the unorganised sector.

Commending the state's progress, he praised Rajasthan's performance in drinking water supply and rural development initiatives.

He highlighted the potential of sectors such as tourism, agriculture, mining and solar energy and suggested integrating these sectors more effectively into GSDP calculations through the creation of technology-driven databases.

He also stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of government schemes, capacity building and expanding survey coverage in the unorganised sector.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday said Rajasthan is playing a leading role in achieving the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and that the state government is pursuing a district-based development model to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth.

Addressing a meeting on District Domestic Product (DDP) estimation at his official residence in the presence of Prof. Raju, the Chief Minister said a new development framework is being shaped by focusing on the unique identity, local resources and economic strengths of each district.

This approach, he said, would help take Rajasthan's economy to new heights.

CM Sharma noted that the state government's policies promoting industry, investment and good governance are yielding positive results, attracting significant investments across sectors.

He added that Rajasthan's startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with more than 6,000 active startups currently generating employment and fostering innovation among youth.

The Chief Minister said the state government is actively conducting annual enterprise surveys in the unorganised sector, enabling traditional and small-scale enterprises to become part of the formal economy.

He cited examples such as the handicrafts industry in Churu, mustard-based enterprises in Bharatpur and traditional tribal products from Banswara and Udaipur.

According to Sharma, these initiatives are ensuring that the economic contribution of such enterprises is reflected in the state's GDP while also helping them access government schemes and financial assistance.

He further noted that innovations are being encouraged in district-specific products, crops, flora, sports and tourism under the state government's ‘Panch Gaurav’ initiative.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, Sharma said the state is promoting comprehensive development in aspirational sub-divisions based on local geography, culture, resources, needs and economic potential.

Under this initiative, key local crops and products are being identified, while action plans are being implemented for processing, storage, value addition and marketing.

He said the initiative is strengthening small-scale, cottage and traditional industries, creating employment opportunities and boosting local economies.

The Chief Minister said the state government has launched the Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Shahri Ward Abhiyan to ensure balanced and planned development from the district level down to villages and urban wards.

As part of the campaign, development master plans are being prepared with targets for 2030, 2035 and 2047, incorporating public feedback and local development priorities.

Emphasising the importance of accurate economic assessment, Sharma said a robust District Domestic Product system is essential for measuring development at the grassroots level.

The state government is developing data-driven growth models for sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, cooperatives, mining and other primary industries.

To support this effort, a District Domestic Product Portal will be created to facilitate precise monitoring, evaluation and analysis of district-level economic activity.

He said the portal would play a key role in the scientific compilation and assessment of economic data, enabling more informed policymaking and targeted development interventions.

The Chief Minister noted that Rajasthan has emerged as one of the country's leading renewable energy-producing states.

Investments and innovation in the green energy sector, he said, are contributing to economic growth while advancing the state's sustainable development objectives.

Expressing confidence in Rajasthan's future, Sharma said initiatives such as district-based planning, data-driven governance, local enterprise development, innovation, investment promotion and renewable energy expansion would help the state progress rapidly towards becoming a developed state and make a significant contribution to the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

During the meeting, presentations were made on strengthening the primary sector economy, Rajasthan's economic landscape and the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Shahri Ward Abhiyan.

Senior officials, including Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, attended the meeting, while divisional commissioners and district collectors from across the state participated via video conference.

--IANS

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