Delhi Budget: The much-awaited Delhi budget was presented at the Assembly today (Wednesday). The Delhi Budget which was to be presented on Tuesday was resubmitted by Finace Minister Kailash Gahlot to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval amid the tussle between the Centre and the AAP government. The Union Home Ministry eventually approved the Delhi Budget on Tuesday following a clarification from the AAP government, paving the way for its presentation in the Assembly.
While the matter sparked a fresh row between the AAP government and the Centre, 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". But speaking in the Assembly, Kejriwal alleged that the Centre's objection was a departure from tradition and an attack on the Constitution. Kejriwal had again accused the Centre and the L-G of creating hindrances in the developmental work of the national capital.
Terming his maiden budget as 'Kejriwal-model budget', Kailash Gahlot also remembered Manish Sisodia, who is in jail, and said, "I would have been happier if Manish Sisodia had presented the budget, he is my elder brother. I am sure the best wishes of children all over the world are with Manish Sisodia."
Arvind Kejriwal too tweeted about his former deputy CM and said, "Delhi's budget will be presented today. Everyone in Delhi is missing Manish ji a lot today. But will not let their work stop. All the work started by him will be done with double speed."
Gahlot presented a Rs 78,800 crore budget in the Delhi Assembly for the financial year 2023-24. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the previous year.
Top Takeaways from Delhi Budget:
- This is the ninth budget of the Delhi government and Gahlot's first.
- Mohalla Bus scheme for last mile connectivity announced. 100 e-buses to be launched in 2023-24, 2,180 in next 2 years.
- 7,379 buses currently plying in Delhi. City to have 1,900 e-buses by 2023-end. It will reduce Co2 emissions by 1.07 lakh tonnes
- 6-point action plan for a clean Yamuna and removal of all 3 mountains of garbage in focus
- Electrification of 57 existing bus depots, construction of 9 new bus depots, 3 ISBTs, 2 multi-level bus depots announced
- Constructruction of 3 unique double-decker flyovers in collaboration with DMRC announced
- Upgradation of 1,400-km PWD road network, construction of 26 new flyovers, underpasses
- Local bodies to be given financial assistance of Rs 8,241 crore in financial year 2023-24
- Despite its huge contribution, Centre has been allocating just Rs 325 crore to Delhi as its share in central taxes, says Gahlot.
- Delhi govt proved its commitment for zero tolerance towards corruption through doorstep delivery of services.
- In the last 8 years, 21 new flyovers have been constructed
- The middleman concept has been abolished by the Delhi govt in the last 8 years
- The network of Delhi Metro doubled between 2015-23.
- 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
Poster war
Just before the presentation of the Budget, the AAP on Wednesday engaged in a poster war and tweeted, 'Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao'. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal urging the Centre to work together tweeted, "It is not right to stop every work of Delhi. Now people have started understanding and raising their voice. Please stop fighting everyday. Let's together develop Delhi, serve the people. There is no point in fighting."
