Exclusive Interview/ Bhajanlal Sharma, chief minister, Rajasthan
Bhajanlal Sharma has spent two years proving that a first-time MLA can run one of India’s largest states with the certainty of a seasoned administrator. With an eye on developing new leadership in the state, the BJP had hand-picked him to lead Rajasthan in December 2023. The choice surprised many within and outside the party.
Sharma, however, arrived in office with decades of organisational experience. His tenure since then has been marked by an assertive push for water security, investment mobilisation and administrative discipline, with the government claiming that it has delivered on 70 per cent of its manifesto commitments. The successful conduct of two high-octane industry events in two years—Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit and Pravasi Rajasthani Divas—has given him national and international visibility. Supporters describe him as a quiet, methodical operator, while critics question the speed of implementation and the government’s stability.
In an interview with THE WEEK, Sharma defends the pace of development, and shares his achievements so far and plans for the future. Excerpts:
Q/ Your government says it is delivering election promises on time. Which ones have been delivered so far? And, what is the timeline for the rest?
When we assumed power, Rajasthan was struggling because of the failures of the previous Congress government. Farmers, youth, women, tribal communities and the poor had been deceived. Corruption was at its peak, and the paper leaks case was not just corruption but a betrayal of the future of Rajasthan’s youth.
If we talk about our most clear and concrete achievements, we had promised to provide water to Rajasthan. With the support of the Union government, we launched the ERCP (Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project), which will ensure water supply to 17 districts.
Nearly one lakh jobs have been provided and recruitment for over 1.5 lakh posts is underway. To promote investment, MoUs worth Rs35 lakh crore were signed through Rising Rajasthan (in December 2024). Of these, projects worth Rs7 lakh crore have already been implemented.
We have fulfilled our promise of electricity to every household. Power generation has doubled. We have built one and a half times more health centres than the previous government. Farmers are now accessing credit easily, and road construction is progressing faster than ever.
In just 23-24 months, we have delivered most of our commitments. We are moving rapidly in policy implementation, tackling corruption and expanding development work. We remain committed to completing the remaining promises within the set timelines.
Q/ Vision 2047 targets a $4.3 trillion economy. What goals have been set for 2030 and 2035? How will continuity be ensured if the government changes after 2028?
Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area, covering 10.41 per cent of the country. At present, our economy is roughly $197 billion. Under the ‘Viksit Rajasthan @2047’ vision document, we have prepared a phased roadmap to reach $4.3 trillion. For 2030, the target is $350 billion, though independent assessments suggest we could exceed $400 billion if current momentum continues.
The economic and social transformation of Rajasthan will be propelled by investor-friendly policies, technological progress and inclusive development. By 2047, GSDP is projected to grow 21–22 times, making Rajasthan a major pillar of India’s growth story.
To ensure continuity beyond political cycles, we have established the Rajasthan Institute for Transformation and Innovation, a permanent body modelled on the NITI Aayog. A high-level steering committee of senior bureaucrats, experts and stakeholders guides long-term implementation beyond electoral mandates.
Our core belief is that development is not partisan. Large infrastructure, such as expressways, renewable energy grids and industrial corridors, builds irreversible momentum. Private investment attracted through Rising Rajasthan also creates a stakeholder ecosystem that demands policy continuity.
Through collective effort and strategic reforms, Rajasthan aims to become a model of progress, stability and shared prosperity.
Q/ Previous recruitment exams were marred by paper leaks. What structural measures has your government introduced to eliminate this problem?
We formed a state-level Special Investigation Team to probe all paper leak cases from the past five years. Within a year, 94 FIRs were registered and 244 accused were arrested, including former and current members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and the previous government’s [chief minister’s] personal security officer.
Institutional reforms included the restructuring of RPSC, expansion of membership and appointment of a serving DGP as its chair for strong leadership. Recruitment now involves biometric verification, multi-layered checks, continuous CCTV monitoring and vigilance by the Special Operations Group.
Legislatively, amendments to the Rajasthan Public Examination Act raised the maximum penalty to life imprisonment. As a result of these combined actions, examinations have been conducted transparently. The government maintains zero tolerance for the paper leak mafia and is committed to safeguarding the aspirations of hard working youth.
Q/ What steps has your government taken to expand employment and strengthen skill development for youth?
Youth are Rajasthan’s greatest asset. Making them capable and self-reliant is our highest priority. Through 663 skill centres under Central and state schemes, 3.06 lakh young people have received vocational training across various sectors. To modernise technical education, smart classrooms have been set up in 144 government industrial training institutes.
Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana (unemployment allowance scheme), 2.16 lakh new approvals have been issued, and Rs980 crore in allowances have been distributed. Currently, 1.89 lakh beneficiaries are interning across government departments, gaining practical experience for future employment.
Career counselling sessions in schools and colleges have benefited 75,313 students. To expand private sector opportunities, 294 job fairs were held until September 30, 2025, connecting 93,585 applicants with employment opportunities.
Our approach is not limited to providing jobs but enabling youth to become job creators themselves. This combined focus on skills, education and opportunity will empower young people to contribute to a self-reliant India.
Q/ Given the drought situation and falling groundwater level, what is your plan to ensure tap water in every rural home?
Water is life for Rajasthan, and supplying clean drinking water to every home is our commitment. The state receives only 1.16 per cent of India’s surface water and 1.72 per cent of its groundwater, yet is home to 5.67 per cent of the population.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs9,936 crore have been spent to provide tap water to 13.06 lakh rural households. Under AMRUT 2.0, Rs5,123 crore have been sanctioned to improve urban water systems in 183 towns. Infrastructure expansion includes 3,651 new tubewells, 5,895 new handpumps and repair of 4.16 lakh faulty handpumps.
The state launched the ‘Vande Ganga’ conservation campaign from June 5 (coinciding with World Environment Day and Ganga Dussehra) to June 20, starting with the revival of Jaipur’s historic Ramgarh Dam. The plan includes linking ERCP to the Ramgarh Dam.
To recharge groundwater, the ‘Karmabhoomi se Mathrubhumi’ campaign began on January 15, 2025. Across 41 districts and 11,195 gram panchayats, the aim is to build 45,000 recharge structures over four years. So far, 44,780 sites have been identified and 10,571 structures completed. Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, conservation work worth Rs459 crore was undertaken in 17 districts, improving groundwater levels in 12 blocks. Our effort is to conserve every drop and deliver clean water to every home.
Q/ What is the current progress on the ERCP? What major challenges remain?
ERCP is Rajasthan’s most ambitious water project and we are advancing it in mission mode. After decades of delays, the foundation stone was laid in December 2024 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project now has national status.
The long-pending water-sharing dispute with Madhya Pradesh has been resolved, and an MoU has been signed. The project is being executed as the revised Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project. The Nonera Barrage is complete, and the feeder canal in the Kota–Bundi region is progressing rapidly. Approval has been granted by the National Board for Wildlife for a long aqueduct across the Chambal.
The ERCP will provide drinking and irrigation water to 17 districts, benefiting lakhs of farmers. Land acquisition is proceeding smoothly with fair compensation. The government is committed to timely completion so that eastern Rajasthan’s chronic water shortage is addressed permanently. It will also support industrial growth by supplying water to the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
Q/ But the opposition claims your government makes more announcements than actual delivery, and that there are signs of internal instability.
The opposition has little substance left, so it resorts to baseless allegations. The facts speak for themselves. In just 23–24 months, we have completed work that the previous government could not achieve in five years. This reflects the efficiency of a double-engine government guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New airports are coming up. Piped water is reaching households. Farmers receive income support. Women are safer. Youth are getting jobs.... Road networks are expanding and Rajasthan has become a new investment hotspot.
As for claims of internal instability, these are misleading narratives. Our government is united and focused on serving the people.
Q/ The opposition says law and order has deteriorated.
I speak on facts. Since December 2023, not a single exam paper leak has occurred. Major criminal gangs have been arrested. Mafia networks are now a thing of the past. Crimes against women have fallen by 9.24 per cent. This shows that Beti Bachao is not only a slogan for us. Several police officers of the previous government are now behind bars for protecting criminals. We increased the number of police stations for easier public access. Most importantly, the conviction rate has risen from 42 per cent to 60 per cent, meaning offenders can no longer escape punishment.
The numbers do not lie. Rajasthan is safer today than before.
Q/ Rajasthan has seen the party in power changing every election cycle. As you enter your third year, what new initiatives will people see?
While Rajasthan has a tradition of alternating [parties], people value development and good governance above old patterns.
Our top priority will be job creation, including new industrial corridors and expanded skill development for self-employment. In education and health, we plan significant budget allocations to improve the quality of government schools and hospitals.
For farmers, we will expand modern irrigation, guarantee MSP coverage and establish new markets. Women’s empowerment will remain central, with entrepreneurship programmes, safety initiatives and measures for economic independence.
Tourism will be promoted through modern outreach and new facilities. Infrastructure for roads, power and water will be strengthened. Digital governance will continue to reduce corruption and improve transparency.
We are confident that the people will look at performance rather than tradition and will give us another opportunity.