INDIAN STATE : RAJASTHAN

Social Infrastructure

Education

The education scenario of the state is changing rapidly by the initiatives taken by the Govt. as well as by the involvement of other organizations. Various plans and projects have been implemented that focus on improving the delivery of educational services, and in particular on promoting equitable access, enrolment and retention of children in schools, reducing gender disparities, promoting skill development and enhancing learning levels.

Rajasthan is fast emerging as a preferred destination in the field of education. After the government of Rajasthan permitted setting up of private colleges in the state, the technical education sector has witnessed a boom in private investments. More than a hundred colleges- around 38 engineering, 32 MBA, 19 MCA and 35 pharmacies have mushroomed in the past few years. The government is heading towards technical upgradation by formulating plans for establishment 128 industrial training institutes (ITIs). Out of these 108 will be in private sector and 20 will be government aided.

Currently, the state has nine universities. The university of Rajasthan is one of the best universities in the country and has got A+ accredition from the National Assessment and Accredition Council, India.

The private university act enacted by the state government has opened up new avenues for private participation in education sector. Considering the concentration of educational institutions in already developed regions, the government has identified various other potential regions for fresh investments. These include districts like Bhilwara, Barmer, Jhalawar, and Sirohi. The Rajasthan Self Financed Private Universities Ordinance (2004) issued by the government cites that any society, which is, registered under Indian Registration of Societies Act 160 or Rajasthan Societies Registration Act 1958 or any Public Trust registered under the Indian Public Trust Act 122 or Rajasthan Public Trust Act 1959 or a company registered under section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 is eligible to apply for establishing a private university.

Major Education Sectors

Jaipur: being the capital, Jaipur is a key educational centre. The city offers a bouquet of short-term courses and diplomas. Affiliated branches of various institutes organize certificate courses in fashion designing, interior decoration and event management among others.

Kota: with over 30,000 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) aspirants migrating to Kota every year, this city has already carved a niche for itself in the education sector. Essentially known for its coaching centres, Kota is now home to thousands of students from across the country. Its coaching institutes have made their mark by displaying stupendous results in the past few years.

Jodhpur: the city of Jodhpur is an upcoming destination for law students. Jodhpur is among the best destinations for legal education at the undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral level.

Health

The state of Rajasthan allocates around 40 percent of its budget in social sectors like education, health and family welfare, housing, UDH, and welfare of SC and ST. a sum of Rs. 1100 crore (approximately) was spent on medical and health and family welfare in 2004-05, about 22 percent of which was spent on referral health care services.

The state has formulated a "Policy for Promoting Private Investment in Health Care Facilities (2006)". The objectives of the policy are manifold:

• To promote private sector investment in Medical & Heath Care Institutions,
  Medical & Dental Colleges and support units like Diagnostic Centres, Blood Banks and Paramedical Training Institutes.
• To ensure delivery of quality health care with reasonable costs.
  
• To promote development of Centers of Excellence for Medical Care.
  
• To promote Rajasthan as a Medical Tourism Destination.
  
• To develop Complementary and Alternative Medicine Centres.
  
• To develop Super Specialty Health Care Institutions.
  
• To promote Public Private Participation in Medical and Health Sector
  
• To develop standards for infrastructure and operations.
  
• To create a regulatory body with supportive role.

For more information

Housing

During the period of April- March 2005-06, Rajasthan constructed 38, 431 houses under Indra Niwas Yojna. The state surpassed the target by 19.8 percent. Under the economically weaker section scheme, Rajasthan constructed 1650 houses as against a target of constructing 1500 houses. This has translated into a target achievement of 110 percent.

The Rajasthan Housing Board plans to construct 7,000 houses in different cities of the State. It plans to construct houses in 53 cities in a phased manner. It is reported that Jaipur would have the maximum number of houses. Out of the 1,000 houses on the map in Sanganer (Jaipur), 944 have been allotted to the applicants. The first phase to construct the houses under the Gharonda scheme in 20 cities has started.

The Phase I covers Ajmer, Alwar, Beawar, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Chipa Barod, Churu, Dausa, Gulabpura, Hanumangarh, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Kotputli, Nagaur, Partapura, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Jaipur, Suratgarh and Tonk cities. In Atru, Eklera and Baran 200 houses each would be constructed. In the first phase, construction of 3,459 houses was taken up. Out of the 2,800 completed houses, 2,600 families were given allotment. Phase II involves construction of 780 houses. The cities where the Phase II of the scheme would be implemented are Sunel in Kota, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chabra, Abu Road, Balotra, Banswara, Naseerabad, Badi Sadri, Sikar and in Udaipur.

The Phase III of the Gharonda housing scheme, construction has been planned in Khairthal, Pindwara, Sangwara, Suratgarh and Lakheri. The board plans to construct 50 houses each in the chosen cities, the work on which has been started. The Phase IV of the housing scheme includes construction of 50 houses each in Keshoraipatan, Jhalrapatan,Sardarshahar, Phalna, Tijara. As many as 100 houses would be constructed in Jhunjhunu, Neemrana, Hindaun, Anta, Barmer in accordance to the scheme.

The state has formulated a "Rajasthan Urban Housing and Habitat Policy 2006" which has been justified on the following grounds:

• Establishment of an efficient housing & infrastructure stock &
  
• Property market mechanism.
  
• Establishment of sustainable human settlement.
  
• Land use decision
  
• Commitment of resources to various housing programmes /Projects / problems.
  
• Creation of organizations and agencies to deal with various
  
• Housing problems.
  
• Commitment of resources to programmes which encourage
  
• Private investment in housing.
  
• Legal framework specifying rights and responsibilities of various stakeholders.
  
• Designing of tax structure and legislation conducive to housing development process, flow of finance and other resources.