Will Rajasthan’s MPs Play Their Role in Addressing Development Challenges?

More than seven crore citizens of Rajasthan will celebrate the state's 76th Foundation Day on March 30. Rajasthan, the largest state in India in terms of geography, has vast Thar Desert on one side and the Aravalli mountain range along with backward tribal regions on the other. The state is rich in minerals and mines, and is adorned with beautiful lakes, wildlife sanctuaries, world-famous forts, ancient palaces, temples, and Shekhawati’s heritage havelis, making it a prominent global tourist destination.

Despite these advantages, Rajasthan faces geographical disparities, a long border with Pakistan, and several challenges associated with its desert terrain. However, the state holds immense potential for development, particularly in solar energy and oil refinery projects, which are expected to transform its economic landscape in the coming years.

The BJP government under Bhajan Lal Sharma is actively working on key projects, including the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and bringing Yamuna water to the Shekhawati region. These initiatives aim to address water scarcity in western, eastern, and Shekhawati regions.

With the BJP in power both at the center and in the state, the Rajasthan government is making extensive efforts to leverage this advantage. The state has strong representation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, with leaders like Bhupender Yadav, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Bhagirath Chaudhary. Additionally, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also hail from Rajasthan. Given this scenario, there could not be a more favorable time for Rajasthan’s development.

Key Development Challenges in Rajasthan

Education Deficiency – The state still struggles with low literacy rates, necessitating urgent reforms in the education sector.

Healthcare Shortages – Rajasthan lacks adequate healthcare infrastructure, leading to difficulties in accessing medical services.

Unemployment – High unemployment rates force youth to migrate to other states for better opportunities.

Drinking Water Crisis – Severe water scarcity affects daily life, making it crucial to improve drinking water facilities.

Agricultural Issues – Challenges such as lack of irrigation, quality seeds, and fertilizers hinder agricultural growth.

Environmental Problems – Air, water, and noise pollution continue to degrade the state’s ecosystem.

Poor Road Infrastructure – Many roads are in bad condition, making transportation and connectivity a major concern.

Electricity Shortages – Power supply remains a persistent issue, affecting both residential and industrial sectors.

Administrative Inefficiency – Corruption and bureaucratic delays hinder effective governance and policy implementation.

Although the Bhajan Lal government is striving to address these issues, a critical question remains: What role will Rajasthan’s MPs play in tackling these challenges?

The Role of Rajasthan’s MPs in Development

During Vasundhara Raje’s tenure, a Parliamentary Cell was established at Rajasthan’s Resident Commissioner’s Office in New Delhi to coordinate with MPs. However, no official meetings have been held for over a year. The cell merely circulates project updates before parliamentary sessions, failing to ensure collective advocacy for Rajasthan’s pressing concerns.

Rajasthan has 35 MPs in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including some non-native leaders like Sonia Gandhi. While some MPs actively raise issues, there is a lack of collective representation for state-specific demands.

Several critical issues remain unresolved, such as:

Constitutional recognition of the Rajasthani language and its adoption as the official state language under the new education policy.

Granting Rajasthan a special status to address its geographical challenges.

Ensuring Rajasthan receives its full share of water from the Bhakra-Sutlej-Beas river system.

The question now is: Will Rajasthan’s MPs unite and make a collective effort to push for the state’s pending projects and resolve its challenges?