Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023

July 20, 2023

The state government in Rajasthan has introduced a landmark legislation called the Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023. This progressive bill aims to provide guaranteed wages or pensions to the entire adult population of the state.

Provision 1: Guaranteeing Minimum Income and Employment

Under the bill, every family in the state is entitled to guaranteed employment for 125 days each year. This encompasses the flagship Indira Gandhi Shahri Rozgar Guarantee Yojana for urban areas and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for rural regions. Additionally, the bill ensures a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 for specific categories such as the aged, disabled, widows, and single women.

Provision 2: Three Broad Categories

The Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill encompasses three key categories: the right to minimum guaranteed income, the right to guaranteed employment, and the right to guaranteed social security pension. These provisions collectively aim to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the people of Rajasthan.

Provision 3: Sustainable Financial Plan

To implement this comprehensive social welfare scheme, the government has estimated an additional expenditure of Rs 2,500 crore annually. However, the financial allocation may increase over time to cater to the expanding coverage and evolving needs of the population.

Implementation: Program Officers and Enhanced Pension

To ensure effective implementation of the bill, designated Program Officers will oversee its execution at the local level. These officers, located in rural and urban areas, will be responsible for providing employment within 15 days of application receipt. In cases of non-employment, applicants will receive an unemployment allowance on a weekly basis.

Furthermore, the bill guarantees an annual increment in the pension amount. Starting from 2024-2025, the pension will increase by 5 percent in July and 10 percent in January, promoting financial security and keeping up with the rising cost of living.

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