Delhi Govt Tables Rs 78,800-Cr Budget After Tussle With Centre, Lion's Share Goes To Education

Delhi Budget Session 2023: Delhi finance minister Kailash Gahlot said the network of Delhi Metro doubled between 2015-23 while the number of buses has increased to 7,379, which is the highest

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot arrive at Delhi Legislative Assembly for the presentation of the Budget, on Wednesday

Source : PTI

Delhi finance minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday presented the Rs 78,800-crore budget for the financial year 2023-24 in the Assembly saying it is dedicated to a clean, beautiful, and modern Delhi keeping in mind India is hosting the G20.

   

The lion's share of the Budget went to education which received Rs 16,575 crore allocation in the financial year 2023-24 while Health got Rs 9,742 crore, a marginal decrease from Rs 9,769 crore last year. 

 

In a boost to education, the minister in his first Budget presentation said 350 Delhi govt schools will get 20 computers each, and all teachers, principals, and vice-principals to get tablets.

 

The Budget allocated Rs 9,333 crore allocated for the transport sector.  The network of Delhi Metro doubled between 2015-23, the minister noted. "Today the number of buses has increased to 7,379, which is the highest. Today the govt has made Delhi a city of tricolors. The upcoming budget is important for Delhi as we are hosting the G20. So this budget is dedicated to a clean, beautiful, and modern Delhi," the minister said in his first Budget presentation.

Delhi's Per Capita Income is expected to be Rs 4,44,768 in 2022-23 as compared to Rs 3,91,000 in 2021-22, the minister said. 

In his first budget speech, the minister said, the Budget estimate for 2023-24 - 78,800 crore includes revenue expenditure of Rs 56,983 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 21,817 crore. The Budget allocated Rs 16,575 crore for education in the financial year 2023-24 while Rs 9,742 crore was dedicated towards Health, a marginal decrease from Rs 9,769 crore last year.

The Budget was scheduled to be tabled on Tuesday but got delayed after the MHA sought clarification on the allocation of funds for infrastructure and advertisements from the AAP government.

 

The BJP on Tuesday alleged that the Kejriwal dispensation sat on the clarifications sought by the Ministry of Home Affairs for three days and then blamed the Centre for gaining “cheap publicity”.

 

Gahlot was given charge of the department after the resignation of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case.

Highlights of Delhi Budget 2023

Local bodies will be given financial assistance of Rs 8,241 crore in the financial year 2023-24, Gahlot said. The Delhi government to set up 1,000 RO plants in JJ clusters, unauthorised colonies, water-deficit areas in 2023-24. 

Water availability in Delhi to be increased from 995 million gallons a day to 1,240 MGD by March 2025

77,000 elderly pilgrims benefited under the Delhi govt's free pilgrimage scheme which will continue in 2023-24

The Delhi govt proposed four new schemes for the welfare of construction workers. In 2023-24, the Kejriwal govt will train 2 lakh construction workers under Skill Development Programme, said Gahlot

Mohalla Bus scheme announced for last mile connectivity. 100 e-buses to be launched in 2023-24, 2,180 in the next 2 years. 

On pollution, the minister said PM 10, PM 2.5 pollution in Delhi reduced by over 30 pe cent in 8 years. Number of  “severe” air quality days dropped to just 6 in 2022.  

Delhi will treat 890 million gallons of sewage a day by March 2024, a massive increase over 373 MGD in 2015.

The government also earmarked Rs 3,500 crore for the upgrade of public transport in 2023-24. The minister announced the upgrade of 1,400-km PWD road network, construction of 26 new flyovers, underpasses in Delhi.

Despite its huge contribution, the Centre has been allocating just Rs 325 crore to Delhi as its share in central taxes, the finance minister said.

The Delhi government to keep every possible to MCD to remove three mountains of garbage in Delhi. Okhla landfill to be removed by December 2023, Bhalswa by March 2024, Ghazipur by December 2024. The minister said 29 new flyovers are being constructed, 1,600 e-buses to be inducted by end of 2023

Delhi govt proved its commitment to zero tolerance towards corruption through doorstep delivery of services, the minister added.

The session will be preceded by an Outcome Budget of the government.  The Delhi assembly’s Budget Session started last week with Lt Governor V K Saxena addressing the House. 

Lt Governor V K Saxena listed out various achievements of the government and hoped that the national capital become a progressive global city one day.

This is for the first time since 2015 that former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who was arrested in a corruption case pertaining to the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22, will not be presenting the Budget.  "Would have been happier if the budget was presented by Manish Sisodia who is like my elder brother," Gahlot said at the time of presenting the Budget.