Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday, March 25, tabled the first budget of the newly-elected BJP government, with an outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, registering a 31.5% rise over the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) last year's budget.
Budget is aimed at delivering on its February election promises
This is the BJP government's first budget after its historic Assembly election win in the national capital after almost a decade. CM Gupta added that the budget is aimed at delivering on its February election promises, and gives top priority to healthcare, education, and road infrastructure, by doubling the capital outlay to Rs 28,000 crore.
- Healthcare Boost: Rs 2,144 crore have been sanctioned for the PM Jan Arogya Yojana to increase accessibility of healthcare in the national capita for the poor.
- Yamuna Revitalisation: Rs 500 crore have been budgeted for desilting of the Yamuna, allowing only treated water to flow into the river through 40 decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
- Mahila Samridhi Yojana: Rs 5,100 crore have been allocated to offer Rs 2,500 monthly to targeted women, to promote their financial independence.
- Better Connectivity: Rs 1,000 crore have been planned to upgrade transport infrastructure and connectivity in Delhi-NCR.
- Slum Development: Rs 696 crore have been allocated for developing infrastructure and improving slum clusters in the city.
- Affordable Meal Scheme: Rs 100 crore are being spent to set up 100 Atal Canteens in Delhi, offering subsidised food to the poor.
- Women's Safety: 50,000 new CCTV cameras will be installed in the city to increase women's safety and surveillance.
- Water and Sanitation Upgradation: Rs 9,000 crore are being spent to upgrade the water supply and sanitation facilities of Delhi.
- Business and Investment Promotion: A Traders' Welfare Board will be established, and a Global Investment Summit will be held biennially to promote the economic development of the city.
- Sewage Infrastructure Upgrade: Rs 500 crore will be spent on repairing and upgradation of the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and Rs 250 crore on replacing aged sewer lines.
- Road and Bridge Infrastructure: Rs 3,843 crore are being invested in widening and upgrading roads and bridges throughout the city.
- Education Reform: Rs 100 crore are being allocated to set up the new 'CM Shri Schools' to offer quality education.
- Health Sector Investment: Rs 6,874 crore are being invested in improving healthcare, such as increasing health and wellness centers and the 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir' facilities.
- Student Support Program: Rs 750 crore are to be used to give free laptops to 1,200 students who cleared Class X, for increasing digital education.
