In Rajasthan’s Assembly on Thursday, things got really heated as Congress MLAs disrupted the session over the issue of crop damage caused by heavy rains. The protest led to the Assembly being adjourned twice, but despite the chaos, three important bills were still passed to bring about significant changes in labour laws, government spending, and GST rules.
When the assembly resumed at 2 pm after being halted around 12:30 pm, Congress MLAs entered the well of the house, shouting slogans and demanding immediate help for farmers suffering due to recent rains. The Speaker, Vasudev Devnani, urged everyone to stay calm, saying, “I got the answer from the minister, but you people did not listen. Your MLAs came into the well and misbehaved — I will not tolerate this.” Despite his warnings, the protests continued, leading to a quick session that lasted just 33 minutes before ending for the day.
Even with the disruptions, the Assembly successfully approved three key bills:
- Factory (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Rajasthan Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2025
- Rajasthan GST (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025
The standout was the Factory (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, which aims to boost the industrial sector and empower workers. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara explained that the new law allows longer working hours—workers can now stay in factories for up to 10.5 hours per day. It also permits six-hour shifts without breaks, increases overtime limits to 144 hours per quarter (nearly double the previous 75 hours), and introduces night shifts for women with their written consent.
Minister Godara highlighted that these changes will help boost productivity, attract more investment to Rajasthan, and support migrant workers. “This reform not only benefits workers but also empowers women and encourages industrial growth,” he added.
On the financial front, Minister Diya Kumari got approval to spend an additional Rs 2,575.75 crore from the state’s funds for the 2025-26 year. Meanwhile, the GST bill, presented by State Health Minister Gajendra Singh, claimed that higher GST collection has already helped repay central loans and fund development projects across Rajasthan.
A proposal to seek public opinion on the GST bill was rejected, and after all bills were passed, the Speaker announced the Assembly would meet again on Monday, September 8.
This day highlighted two key issues: the distress faced by farmers due to heavy rains and the government’s push for reforms. While Congress focused on the farm crisis, the ruling party emphasized the importance of these new bills for improving workers’ rights, state finances, and industrial growth, according to BJP leaders.
Stay tuned for updates on Rajasthan’s political developments and ongoing efforts to support farmers and workers alike.
