Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled the first budget of the recently elected BJP government on Tuesday, March 25. The budget included an expenditure of Rs 1 lakh crore, which was 31.5% more than the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) budget from the previous year.
After almost ten years, the BJP-led government is presenting its first budget since winning the historic national capital Assembly election. CM Gupta stated that the budget is focused on fulfilling election promises beginning in February, with healthcare, education, and road infrastructure receiving priority, with capital expenditure doubling to Rs 28,000 crore.
Here are the main highlights:
Healthcare Boost: The PM Jan Arogya Yojana has been allocated Rs 2,144 crore to improve healthcare access in the country per capita for the underprivileged.
Yamuna Revitalization: Forty decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will filter the Yamuna, ensuring that only treated water enters the river. A total of Rs 500 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
Mahila Samridhi Yojana: Rs 5,100 crore has been set aside to provide Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women in order to help them achieve financial independence.
Improved Connectivity: Rs1,000 crore has been allocated to improve transportation infrastructure and connectivity in Delhi-NCR.
Slum Development: A total of Rs696 crore has been set aside for the city's slum clusters' enhancement and infrastructure development.
Affordable Meals Initiative: A total of Rs 100 crore has been set aside to open 100 Atal Canteens throughout Delhi, which will serve low-income individuals subsidized meals.
Women's Safety: To improve women's security and surveillance, 50,000 additional CCTV cameras will be placed throughout the city.
Business and Investment Promotion: To support the city's economic development, a Global Investment Summit will be held every two years, and a Traders' Welfare Board is anticipated to be established.
Sewage Infrastructure Upgrade: A total of Rs 500 crore has been set aside for the replacement of outdated sewer lines and the repair and modernization of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
Road and Bridge Infrastructure: Rs 3,843 crore has been allocated for the expansion and improvement of the city's roads and bridges.
Education Reform: Rs 100 crore have been set aside to establish the new 'CM Shri Schools', which will provide high-quality education.
Health Sector Investment: Rs 6,874 crore are set aside to improve healthcare, including the expansion of health and wellness centers and the 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir' services.
Student Support Initiative: Rs 750 crore has been allocated to provide free laptop computers to 1,200 students who have completed Class X in order to promote digital education.
