Jaipur, July 1 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said Rajasthan is rapidly emerging as a key player in India’s digital transformation, with the state receiving investment proposals worth over Rs 43,000 crore in the data centre sector.

He added that the government is committed to making Rajasthan the country’s preferred destination for investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centres.

Addressing industry leaders during a round-table discussion held after the 29th National Conference on e-Governance at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), the Chief Minister said the state is strengthening its digital infrastructure to realise the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat–Viksit Rajasthan 2047’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said e-governance has significantly improved transparency in citizen-centric services while enabling faster service delivery, reducing both time and costs, improving record management, and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Highlighting the state’s growing digital ecosystem, Sharma said Rajasthan is no longer known only for its tourism and heritage but is becoming an important contributor to India’s digital future.

The state has more than 100 universities and nearly 4,000 colleges, producing over 2.5 lakh graduates every year, which he described as Rajasthan’s greatest strength.

He said the government’s iStart initiative has nurtured more than 8,700 startups, attracting investments exceeding ₹1,000 crore and generating over 48,000 direct jobs.

The state also plans to strengthen collaboration between industry, startups, academia, and government through its proposed AI Centre of Excellence.

The Chief Minister noted that STT GDC has established an AI-ready data centre in Jaipur, while several other companies, including HG Akaya, Nayo Bolt, and Ztudium, have proposed investments in Rajasthan.

Together, these proposals exceed Rs 43,000 crore, reflecting growing industry confidence in the state’s digital infrastructure.

He said the government will support investors through adequate land and power availability, a single-window clearance system, and industry-friendly policies.

Rajasthan is also developing progressive policies for emerging sectors such as AI, data centres, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), drones, and geospatial technology.

Sharma said Rajasthan’s abundant green energy, competitive operating costs, and transparent governance make it an attractive investment destination.

To encourage startups, the government has removed key barriers in public procurement, including mandatory prior experience and minimum turnover requirements, making it easier for new enterprises to participate in government projects.

He invited entrepreneurs to view Rajasthan not only as an investment destination but also as a long-term partner in research, innovation, employment generation, and the development of future technologies.

During the round-table discussion, industry leaders and experts shared suggestions on AI, data centres, Cloud computing, quantum computing, semiconductors, and the startup ecosystem.

The event was attended by Information Technology and Communication Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, IT & Communication Secretary Ravi Kumar Surpur, senior officials from the Industries and Commerce Department, and representatives from leading technology companies.

–IANS

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