Rajasthan govt to introduce Bill to prevent illegal conversions

Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government is set to introduce a new bill aimed at preventing illegal religious conversions. On November 30, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel announced that the state cabinet approved the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill-2024, which will be presented in the upcoming Assembly session. Currently, Rajasthan lacks specific laws addressing.

Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government is set to introduce a new bill aimed at preventing illegal religious conversions. On November 30, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel announced that the state cabinet approved the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill-2024, which will be presented in the upcoming Assembly session.

Currently, Rajasthan lacks specific laws addressing illegal conversions, and the proposed legislation will impose strict penalties for such actions, including invalidating marriages conducted under coercion or fraud. Offenses under this law will be non-bailable and cognizable, similar to regulations in other states.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, also approved nine new policies aimed at enhancing the state’s industrial and economic development. These include the Rajasthan MSME Policy, Export Promotion Policy, One District One Product Policy, Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy, and Integrated Cluster Development Scheme, all designed to boost industrial growth, establish Rajasthan as an export hub, promote tourism, and support local industries and crafts.

Additionally, ordinances were approved to create development authorities in Bikaner and Bharatpur, ensuring systematic development in these cities. The cabinet also accepted recommendations from the Khemraj Committee to address pay anomalies and enhance promotional opportunities for state employees, with reforms effective from September 1, 2024.

The Rajasthan MSME Policy-2024 aims to enhance the global competitiveness of MSMEs, offering measures like a 2% interest subsidy on loans, financial assistance for raising funds, and grants for technology adoption and marketing. Meanwhile, the Export Promotion Policy-2024 aims for Rs 1.50 lakh crore in exports over the next five years, providing incentives for exporters, including reimbursements for international event participation and assistance with technical upgrades and e-commerce costs.

Through these initiatives, the government seeks to foster a robust industrial ecosystem and position Rajasthan as a leader in exports, tourism, and local craftsmanship.