Delhi govt presents budget 2024-25

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government presented the budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the state assembly, with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore.

Atishi Singh, Minister of Finance, the government of Delhi, mentioned that the Delhi government has continued its focus on education, health, power, and roads among others in this budget as well.
In her maiden budget speech, Atishi stated that the population of Delhi accounted for only 1.55 per cent of the country’s population, yet its contribution to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is more than double that figure.

Atishi proposed an allocation of Rs 16,396 crore for the education sector, where ₹100 crore has been allocated to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for training teachers, and another ₹150 crore for the construction of new schools and classrooms. She further proposed ₹45 crore for the maintenance of existing classrooms and ₹42 crore for Schools of Specialised Excellence.
The budget further mentioned a new initiative, “Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana” in which women above 18 years of age will be given ₹1,000 every month. ₹2000 crore has been allocated for this scheme.

”Be it a college student wanting to buy books or a woman wanting to watch a movie, she will not have to ask anyone for money,” Atishi stated.

To be eligible, a woman, above the age of 18, will have to be a voter in Delhi should not be filing income tax, and should not be a beneficiary of any other government pension scheme.

The finance minister added that strengthening of roads had enabled the development of the national capital and that the Arvind Kejriwal-led government intended to deliver integrated corridors, three double-decker flyovers in collaboration with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and eight new flyovers by the end of 2024-25. An outlay of ₹510 crore for the e-buses and ₹500 crore for the Delhi metro has been announced.
“The Aam Aadmi Party government also plans to lay down 1,000 kms of road in the villages of the capital and removal of dark spots all across the city,” the minister said.
While mentioning the health sector, the finance minister stated that the Delhi government has allocated a budget of ₹8,685 crore for this sector. This includes funds for hospitals, medical treatment through Mohalla Clinics, essential medicines, and the construction and expansion of healthcare facilities.

Overall, the budget focuses on improving education, empowering women, and enhancing healthcare facilities.