Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launches a special housing scheme for journalists

Jaipur-Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that journalism is not merely a means of livelihood, but an important pursuit involving social responsibility, public awareness and nation-building. Sharing his own experiences in journalism, he said that he understands the problems and challenges faced by journalists. Keeping these in mind, the state government is working with a firm commitment to the dignity, sensitivity and welfare of journalists.Chief Minister announces special discounts under the housing scheme – At the programme, the Chief Minister announced a special discount of Rs 15 lakh on the total cost of a 3-BHK flat and Rs 12 lakh on the total cost of a 2-BHK flat under Phase I of the housing scheme. He said that housing schemes would also be introduced in other divisions in a phased manner. He further announced that a new housing scheme would be launched in the satellite city being developed near Poonchhari Ka Lautha in Bharatpur.

On Saturday, the Chief Minister launched the special housing scheme for journalists under the Rajasthan Housing Board’s Vishisht Panjikaran Yojana-2026 at the Constitutional Club of Rajasthan. He said that in state budget we had announced the provision of housing for accredited journalists. In fulfilment of this announcement, registration for flats for journalists had commenced under the Indira Gandhi Nagar Housing Scheme, Sector 9, Jagatpura, Jaipur.

The multi-storey residential project would provide flats equipped with all basic amenities, ensuring a safe and comfortable residential environment for journalists.

He said that journalism rooted in positivity is what truly demonstrate its relevance. Rajasthan’s journalistic tradition bore testimony to self-respect and pride. Visionaries such as Vijay Singh Pathik and Pandit Jhabarmall Sharma had contributed significantly to social reform, public awareness and the development of the state.

Important steps taken for journalists’ welfare

The Chief Minister said that the state government had undertaken several initiatives for journalists’ welfare in just under three years. Relaxations in the age limit and experience requirements for the accreditation of freelance journalists had been introduced, setting the minimum eligibility age at 45 years and the required experience at 15 years. This had benefited 31 press representatives.

Under the pre-matriculation and post-matriculation scholarship schemes, 43 scholarships had been awarded to children of accredited journalists.

He said that Rs 2.15 crore had been paid towards insurance premiums for 1,423 insured journalists under the Rajasthan Journalist Health Scheme (RJHS). Under the Senior Accredited Journalists’ Samman Yojana, 462 beneficiaries had been honoured, while assistance had been provided to 24 accredited journalists and their dependants through the Journalists and Litterateurs Welfare Fund.

Rajasthan emerging as a growth engine for Viksit Bharat

The Chief Minister said that, to realise the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047, the state government is prioritising good governance, expansion of infrastructure and public welfare.

To increase water availability in the state, the government had taken forward important inter-state water agreements and projects, including the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Narmada Agreement and the Kishau Multipurpose Project. These initiatives would benefit crores of people across Rajasthan.

He said that projects worth more than Rs 9 lakh crore from the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit had moved to the implementation stage.

The Chief Minister said that the greenfield refinery and petrochemical project being developed at a cost of Rs 80,000 crore would give a new dimension to Rajasthan’s economy. The byproducts generated by the refinery would also create extensive opportunities for establishing small and large industries.

He said that the state government had conducted more than 410 examinations transparently and without paper leaks. Government appointments had been made to 1.93 lakh posts so far. Recruitment processes for 1.18 lakh posts are underway, while work is in progress towards recruitment to another 70,000 posts.

He said that Rajasthan had progressed beyond self-sufficiency in electricity and had now become a power-supplying state. The double-engine government had increased the amount provided to farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi to Rs 9,000 and was providing daytime electricity to farmers in 26 districts.

He said that the Prime Minister believes that development and heritage should progress together. Keeping this in view, the state government is developing a heritage tourism circuit in Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu to promote the historical heritage, havelis and tourism of the Shekhawati region.

Rajasthan among the leading states in implementing national schemes