New Delhi: Atishi (The Finance Minister of the Delhi Govt.) introduced the most awaited Budget for the FY (2024-25) in the assembly, with a total of ₹76,000 crore outlay. This marks Atishi’s first Budget presentation since her induction into the cabinet as Finance Minister.
Key Allocations and Initiatives:
- The Delhi government has allocated ₹40Cr. for the program named ‘Business Blasters’, designed to support student startups, with an additional ₹15 crores designated for the program named ‘Business Blasters Senior’ in Delhi Govt-funded universities.
- A total allocation of ₹16,396 crore has been announced for the education sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing educational initiatives.
- The Budget also emphasizes schemes related to ‘nutrition’, with ₹664 crores for ensuring food security for all residents. The government aims to introduce various schemes, including the operation of Anganwadi centers, to serve the nutritional needs of women, children, and pregnant/lactating mothers.
- An allocation of ₹1,000/month for every woman of 18 years and more under the scheme “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna”.
- A budgetary provision of ₹80 crores has been set aside to continue the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana‘, facilitating free-of-cost pilgrim travel for elderly citizens to 15 religious sites across India.
- The Budget also focuses on enhancing public transport infrastructure, with plans to introduce over 10,000 public transport buses, including a significant percentage of e-buses, by 2025. Additionally, ₹902 crore has been allocated for the development of unauthorized colonies, while ₹510 crore has been allotted for e-buses and ₹500 crore for the Delhi Metro.
- For the health sector, the government has allocated ₹8,685 crore to support healthcare initiatives in the upcoming fiscal year.
Vision and Recognition:
The Budget is aligned with the government’s vision of ‘Ram Rajya’, aiming to uphold an ideal state where the welfare of all residents is ensured. It shows the government’s commitment to empowering and supporting various segments of society, including women, elderly citizens, students, and the public. Initiatives such as the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana‘ and ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana‘ are taken care of.
The Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly, which began on February 15 and has been extended till March 8, has provided a platform for the government to work on its vision and initiatives for the year ahead. With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, this Budget is anticipated to bring significant changes across key sectors such as education, health, power, and infrastructure.