In her debut budget speech, Atishi articulated the government's commitment to actualising the vision of Ram Rajya.
Delhi”s Finance Minister Atishi unveiled the state”s budget in the Assembly on Monday, drawing inspiration from the principles of “Ram Rajya”. This marks the 10th budget by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), featuring a range of welfare initiatives, notably the “Mukhyamamantri Mahila Samman Yojana,” reminiscent of Madhya Pradesh”s successful “Ladli Behna” scheme.
Atishi presented a budget of Rs 76,000 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25 with significant allocations for education, infrastructure development, and eradicating hunger. The Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly started on February 15.
In her debut budget speech before the state assembly, Atishi articulated the government”s commitment to actualising the vision of Ram Rajya. “We are all driven by the ideals of Lord Ram. Over the past nine years, we have tirelessly strived to materialise the dream of “Ram Rajya’. There is a lot to be done in Delhi, but a lot has been done in the last 9 years,” she said.
Highlighting the transformative journey of Delhi under the AAP administration over the past decade, Atishi remarked, “This milestone of presenting our tenth budget is not merely a financial statement but a testament to the evolving landscape of Delhi. The Kejriwal government emerged as a beacon of hope. Our collective efforts are dedicated to realizing this cherished vision.”
Atishi also provided insights into Delhi”s economic progress, stating, “Since 2014, Delhi”s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has surged from Rs 4.95 lakh crore to Rs 11.08 lakh crore, marking a remarkable growth trajectory. Furthermore, the per capita income has surged from Rs 2.47 lakhs to 4.62 lakhs, surpassing the national average.”
Despite constituting only 1.55 percent of the nation”s population, Delhi significantly contributes to the national GDP, a phenomenon attested by its 3.89 percent share projected for 2023-24, she said.
Here are the highlights from the budget presentation:
Mukhyamamantri Mahila Samman Yojana: Described as a groundbreaking initiative, this program pledges Rs 1,000 to women above 18 years of age. Atishi said that beneficiaries must be Delhi voters not availing benefits from other government schemes, and non-income taxpayers.
Business Blasters Scheme Expansion: Originally confined to schools, the Business Blasters scheme will now extend to universities and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Atishi announced a Rs 15 crore allocation in the budget to implement this initiative in higher educational institutions.
Education Focus: Atishi underscored the government”s commitment to education, allocating Rs 16,396 crore to the sector. She highlighted past achievements, including doubling the education budget in 2015 and dedicating a quarter of total expenditure to education. Specific allocations include Rs 100 crore for teacher training, Rs 150 crore for new school construction, Rs 45 crore for existing classroom maintenance, and Rs 42 crore for Schools of Specialised Excellence.
GSDP Growth: Atishi asserted Delhi”s remarkable economic growth, with the GSDP soaring to Rs 11.08 lakh crore, a two-and-a-half-fold increase since 2014. She noted that Delhi”s per capita income has similarly surged to Rs 4.62 lakh, surpassing the national average.
Healthcare Allocation: The government earmarked Rs 8,685 crore for healthcare, with Rs 6,215 crore allocated to hospital facilities maintenance. Atishi highlighted the provision of free treatment to thousands of OPD and IPD patients daily under the Delhi government, illustrating the commitment to accessible healthcare.
Court Complex Construction: Plans include the construction of four court complexes in Rohini, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rouse Avenue, housing modern facilities such as courtrooms, lawyer chambers, and libraries. This initiative aims to add 250 new courtrooms, addressing the surge in demand for legal services.
Rural Infrastructure Development: Laying of 1,000 kilometers of roads across 360 villages in Delhi, with a budget allocation of Rs 900 crore. This initiative aims to enhance rural road infrastructure, facilitating connectivity and development in remote areas.
