After a day's delay, Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday presented the Budget for the financial year 2023-24. In his first budget speech, Gahlot said the budget was dedicated to clean, beautiful and modern Delhi.
Earlier the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Delhiites were "missing" Manish Sisodia on the day of the budget presentation and asserted that the work started by the former minister will be carried on at double the speed. Gahlot too honoured Sisodia in his budget speech, stating he would have been happier if the budget was presented by Sisodia who "is like my elder brother".
Gahlot stepped in after former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also handled the finance portfolio, was arrested by the CBI and ED on the now-repealed Delhi liquor policy case.
Infrastructure projects
The AAP government announced Rs 78,800 crore budget in its ninth consecutive budget on Wednesday with the announcement of nine schemes as part of the G-20 preparations. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year.
Gahlot said that the Delhi govt proved its commitment to zero tolerance towards corruption through the doorstep delivery of services.
The budget also focuses on the infrastructure as 29 new flyovers are being constructed. This is besides the upgradation of the 1,400-km PWD road network and underpasses in Delhi. There is also a plan to construct three unique double-decker flyovers in collaboration with DMRC.
The government has set aside Rs 3,500 crore for the upgradation of public transport. Besides, 57 existing bus depots will be electrified. Gahlot also announced nine new bus depots, three ISBTs and two multi-level bus depots in Delhi. As many as 1,600 e-buses will also be introduced by end of 2023. This is expected to reduce Co2 emissions by 1.07 lakh tonnes, Gahlot said.
He also announced the Mohalla Bus scheme for last-mile connectivity. Other provisions include financial assistance of Rs 8,241 crore for local bodies, a six-point action plan for a clean Yamuna and the removal of all the mountains of garbage. Delhi will treat 890 million gallons of sewage a day by March 2024, a massive increase of over 373 MGD in 2015, the budget said.
