NITI Aayog Member Prof. K.V. Raju on 22 June designated Rajasthan an 'Achiever State', citing the state's measurable gains in drinking water supply and rural development. The recognition came during a high-level meeting on District Domestic Product (DDP) estimation held at the official residence of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in Jaipur, attended by senior officials and district administrators from across the state.

NITI Aayog's Assessment

Prof. Raju highlighted Rajasthan's untapped potential in tourism, agriculture, mining, and solar energy, urging the creation of technology-driven databases to better capture these sectors' contributions to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He also called for continuous monitoring of government schemes, greater capacity building, and expanded survey coverage in the unorganised sector — areas he described as critical to accurate economic measurement.

CM Sharma's District-Based Development Vision

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said Rajasthan is playing a leading role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. He outlined a district-based development model designed to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth by leveraging each district's unique identity, local resources, and economic strengths.

Sharma noted that the state's policies on industry, investment, and governance are already yielding results, with Rajasthan's startup ecosystem now hosting more than 6,000 active startups generating employment and fostering youth-led innovation.

Formalising the Unorganised Sector

The Chief Minister said the state is conducting annual enterprise surveys in the unorganised sector to bring traditional and small-scale enterprises into the formal economy. He cited specific examples: the handicrafts industry in Churu, mustard-based enterprises in Bharatpur, and tribal products from Banswara and Udaipur. According to Sharma, these initiatives ensure that the economic contribution of such enterprises is reflected in state GDP figures while also enabling them to access government schemes and financial assistance.

Panch Gaurav and Vocal for Local

Sharma referenced the state government's 'Panch Gaurav' initiative, under which innovations are being encouraged in district-specific products, crops, flora, sports, and tourism. Linking this to Prime Minister Modi's 'Vocal for Local' campaign, he said Rajasthan is promoting comprehensive development in aspirational sub-divisions based on local geography, culture, and economic potential — with action plans covering processing, storage, value addition, and marketing of key local products.

DDP Portal and Renewable Energy Push

To support data-driven governance, the state government plans to launch a District Domestic Product Portal for precise monitoring, evaluation, and analysis of district-level economic activity. Sharma also noted that Rajasthan has emerged as one of India's leading renewable energy-producing states, with green energy investments contributing to both economic growth and sustainable development goals.

Development master plans with targets for 2030, 2035, and 2047 are being prepared under the Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Shahri Ward Abhiyan, incorporating public feedback and local development priorities. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and divisional commissioners and district collectors from across the state also attended the meeting, with the latter group joining via video conference.