Youth from Nagaur and other districts have reported that they have not received the unemployment allowance for the past 15–16 months given under Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana.
Jaipur- Tika Ram Jully, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, has penned a compelling letter to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, highlighting the plight of unemployed youth under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana. The letter, addressing the prolonged delay in disbursing unemployment allowances, has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by Rajasthan’s youth and the shifting landscape of welfare schemes under the BJP regime.
In the letter Jully wrote: I wish to draw your attention to the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana, launched by the state government on February 1, 2019, to provide skill training and unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth of the state. Under this scheme, unemployed youth are entitled to a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹4,000, for which they are required to undertake a four-hour internship.
Youth from Nagaur and other districts have reported that they have not received the unemployment allowance for the past 15–16 months. The allowance provided in exchange for the internship was a source of relief for these youth. However, due to the prolonged non-payment of the allowance, they are compelled to continue the four-hour internship without receiving any financial support. This situation has also left them with insufficient time to prepare for competitive examinations.
This letter has reignited discussions about the BJP government’s handling of welfare schemes initiated during the Congress regime, particularly the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana and the health insurance program, now renamed Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana. The non-payment of unemployment allowances and the reduction in health insurance coverage have fueled accusations of neglect and mismanagement, casting a shadow over the BJP’s governance in Rajasthan.
Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana: A Beacon of Hope Dimmed
Launched on February 1, 2019, by the Congress government under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana was designed to empower unemployed graduates and postgraduates in Rajasthan through financial support and skill development. The scheme provides a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹4,000, contingent on beneficiaries completing a four-hour internship aimed at enhancing employability through practical experience and skill-building.
Eligibility Criteria and Structure
To qualify for the scheme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be permanent residents of Rajasthan.
- Hold a graduate or postgraduate degree from a recognized institution.
- Be aged between 21 and 30 years (with age relaxations for reserved categories).
- Be registered with the Employment Exchange.
- Not be employed in any government or private sector job.
The internship component requires participants to engage in skill-based training or community service activities, ensuring they remain active in the workforce while preparing for competitive examinations or job opportunities. The allowance acts as a financial cushion, enabling youth to focus on career development without immediate economic pressures.
Challenges under the BJP Rule
Since the BJP assumed power in December 2023, the scheme has faced significant operational setbacks. As Jully’s letter highlights, beneficiaries in districts like Nagaur, Bharatpur, and Jodhpur have reported non-payment of allowances for 15–16 months. This delay has left many youth in financial distress, as they are required to continue their internships without compensation.
For many beneficiaries, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the ₹4,000 monthly allowance was a lifeline, covering basic expenses and enabling them to pursue competitive exam preparation. The prolonged delay has forced many to divert time and resources to internships, hampering their ability to focus on career advancement.
BJP’s Overhaul of Congress-Era Welfare Schemes
The Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana is not an isolated case. Since taking office, the BJP government has been accused of tweaking, rebranding, or sidelining several Congress-era welfare initiatives, often aligning them with central government programs. This approach has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that these changes dilute the original intent of the schemes, leaving beneficiaries in the lurch.
Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana to Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana
One of the most significant changes has been to the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana, launched by the Congress government on May 1, 2021. This flagship health insurance scheme aimed to provide universal healthcare to Rajasthan’s families, offering cashless medical treatment up to ₹25 lakh per family per year. It covered 1,798 medical procedures, including critical illnesses like COVID-19, hemodialysis, and black fungus treatment. Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 were automatically enrolled, while others could join by paying an annual premium of ₹850. The scheme was widely praised for its comprehensive coverage, including pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, and its accessibility at both government and private hospitals.
In February 2024, the BJP government rebranded the scheme as the Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana, aligning it with the central government’s Ayushman Bharat initiative. However, the most contentious change was the reduction of insurance coverage from ₹25 lakh to ₹5 lakh per family per year. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who argued that the original coverage was essential for low-income families facing high medical costs. Despite retaining core features like cashless treatment and coverage for a wide range of procedures, the reduced cap has raised concerns about its adequacy for complex treatments requiring prolonged hospitalization.
The rebranding and coverage reduction have fueled accusations that the BJP prioritizes political optics over substantive welfare. While the government claims that integration with Ayushman Bharat enhances efficiency and access to a broader hospital network, critics argue that the ₹5 lakh cap leaves families vulnerable to out-of-pocket expenses, particularly in rural areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana were envisioned as transformative initiatives to support Rajasthan’s unemployed youth and ensure universal healthcare. However, under the BJP regime, these schemes have faced significant challenges, from stalled unemployment allowances to reduced health insurance coverage.
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