Jaipur: Civil society groups, social organisations and public representatives have warned of a wider democratic movement if the Rajasthan govt does not immediately frame rules for the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Act, the Rajasthan Right to Health Act and the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare and Registration Act.The laws were passed in 2023 after sustained people’s movements, and were intended to ensure social security, universal health services and welfare protection for unorganised and gig workers.
Activists alleged the present govt has not notified the rules required for effective implementation, leaving the laws “practically non-operational.” They also said the state budget presented in the Assembly on Feb 11 showed neglect of education, health, social security and employment.Social activist Nikhil Dey said that when the Assembly passes laws and the government fails to operationalise them due to non-framing of rules, it amounts to an injustice to democracy. “A Rs 50 increase in social security pensions reflects insensitivity towards the poor. Diluting rights-based laws is an insult to the struggles of the people. Rights will not be allowed to remain confined to paper,” he said. On the Right to Health Act—described by activists as the first law in the country to legally guarantee health services to every citizen—they said it has not been operationalised and that health infrastructure, human resources, medicines and emergency services have not been adequately strengthened. Under the Minimum Income Guarantee Act, activists said a 15% annual increase in social security pensions was mandated. If implemented, pensions would have reached Rs 1,322 per month and risen to Rs 1,520 in 2026–27. Instead, they said, only a ₹50 increase was announced. The Act also provides for additional rural and urban employment days, but activists claimed implementation—especially in urban areas—has remained largely symbolic.
