Assembly Erupts in Heated Debate Over Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit Funding
A fiery confrontation unfolded in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari engaging in a sharp exchange with Opposition leaders over the expenditure and progress of the proposed Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit. The session turned contentious as accusations flew regarding the allocation and utilization of funds for this significant heritage project.
Opposition Questions Negligible Spending on the Project
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully launched a pointed attack on the government, highlighting what he described as "negligible spending" on the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit. He emphasized that while the government had announced a budget of Rs 100 crore for the circuit in the 2024–25 fiscal year, only Rs 2.83 lakh had been expended over the preceding two years.
"Maharana Pratap has a glorious history. We want proper funds to be spent in his honour. But in two years, only Rs 2 lakh out of Rs 100 crore was spent. Is there any timeline for completion?" Jully questioned, demanding clarity on the project's deadlines and financial commitment.
Diya Kumari Defends Progress and Accuses Previous Government
In response to queries raised by BJP MLA Deepti Kiran Maheshwari, Deputy CM Diya Kumari asserted that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had already been prepared and that groundwork had commenced. She defended the pace of progress, stating that major heritage projects require meticulous planning and cannot be rushed.
Kumari turned the tables on the Opposition, targeting the previous Congress government. "If they were so concerned about Maharana Pratap, what did they do in five years? Did they spend even 1 rupee?" she retorted, questioning their commitment during their tenure.
She further revealed that the government now plans to increase the expenditure on the project to Rs 275.68 crore, significantly higher than the initially announced Rs 100 crore. "We will make it grand. Even if Rs 1,000 crore needs to be spent to honour Maharana Pratap's legacy, it would still be justified," Kumari declared, emphasizing her government's dedication to completing projects thoroughly.
Debate Intensifies with Accusations of Inefficiency
The debate escalated as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra accused the government of inefficiency, questioning the stark disparity between the budgetary provisions and the actual low expenditure. He labeled the ministers as "highly incompetent" and expressed doubts about the government's execution capabilities.
Kumari reiterated her stance, assuring that the project would be completed in its entirety and accusing the Opposition of making announcements without delivering tangible results during their time in power.
Speaker Intervenes to Restore Order
The frequent interruptions and heated exchanges during the discussion prompted Speaker Vasudev Devnani to express his displeasure. He remarked that once the DPR was finalized, work would naturally commence and advised members to refrain from repeatedly standing up and disrupting the proceedings, urging for a more orderly debate.
This assembly clash underscores the ongoing political tensions in Rajasthan over heritage development and fiscal accountability, with both sides trading barbs over the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit, a project aimed at honoring the legacy of the revered Rajput ruler.
