With the focus to give a complete makeover to the National Capital, CM Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government has introduced the budget for the financial year 2023-24.
The budget estimates for 2023-24 is ₹ 78,800 crore, which is 3000 crores higher than the Budget estimates of ₹ 75,800 crore in 2022-23 and 6300 Crore over the Revised Estimates of ₹ 72500 crore in 2022-23, which is an increase of 3.96% and 8.69% respectively.
The Delhi government has planned to upgrade and beautify the 1400 km PWD road network with an expected expenditure of ₹19,466 Crore over the next 10 years. The government is also constructing 26 new flyovers, underpasses, and bridge projects, out of which 10 are under construction, 11 are awaiting design approval, and five are in the tendering process. The construction of three unique double-decker flyovers in collaboration with DMRC is also underway.
The government plans to induct 1600 new zero-emission electric buses, including 100 feeder buses, and electrify all 57 bus depots in Delhi by December 2023. The Delhi government has planned to construct three world-class Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs), two multi-level bus depots, two modern bus terminals, and nine new bus depots.
The government has also implemented a six-point action plan for cleaning the Yamuna river. In the education sector, the Delhi government plans to increase the number of Dr Ambedkar Schools of Specialised Excellence (SoSE) to 37 and provide new tablets to all teachers, vice-principals, principals, and DDEs. An amount of ₹16,575 Crore has been allotted to the education sector for the financial year 2023-24.
The government has 515 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, 4 Mahila Mohalla Clinics, 175 allopathic dispensaries, 60 Primary Urban Health Centers (PUHCs), 30 Polyclinics, and 39 multi-speciality/Super Specialty Hospitals in the health sector. The government plans to construct nine new hospitals, out of which four will be operational in the next financial year, increasing the bed capacity from 14,000 to approximately 30,000. An amount of ₹9,742 Crore is proposed to be allocated in the Health Sector for the financial year 2023-24. The budget also has a target of increasing water supply from 995 MGD to about 1240 MGD by March 2025.
Six-point Action Plan for a Clean Yamuna
Cleaning of Yamuna is one of the key points in the budget of the Delhi government. There is a six-point action plan for that. Points of the plan are- 1- construction of new STPs/DSTPs and Upgradation of existing STPs, 2- Sewer connectivity up to 100% households,3- Desilting of existing sewer network,4- trap and divert drains,5- Shifting of industrial units- Industrial units causing pollution will be shifted to conforming areas, 6- Trapping of major drains to reduce pollution in River Yamuna.
Education
Dr Ambedkar Schools of Specialised Excellence (SoSE) started with 20 schools in 2021 and now will be increased to 37 in the coming year. Delhi's first residential Armed Forces Preparatory School, dedicated to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, at Jhadoda village, Najafgarh where currently 160 children are studying will soon join the armed forces. The government will also provide at least 20 new computers in every school in a phased manner and in the year 2023-24, we will make these devices available in 350 schools. In the coming year 2023-24, Government will provide new tablets to all teachers (including regular, guest and contractual), vice principals, principals and DDEs.
An amount of ₹16,575 Crore is allotted in the Education Sector for the financial year 2023-24.
Health
Delhi government has 515 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, 4 Mahila Mohalla Clinics, 175 allopathic dispensaries,60 Primary Urban Health Centers (PUHCs), 30 Polyclinics and 39 multi-speciality / Super Specialty Hospitals with a capacity of 14,244 beds that provide health care services to more than 4 crore patients annually. 09 new government hospitals are under construction, 04 of which will be operational in the next financial year which will increase the number of beds from 14,000 to approximately 30,000. An amount of ₹9,742 Crore is proposed to be allocated in the Health Sector for the financial year 2023-24.
Transport
A total outlay of ₹ 9337 Crore is proposed in the Transport Sector for the financial year 2023-24, including Roads and Bridges.
Water
For water supply, the budget has a target reach from 995 MGD to about 1240 MGD by March 2025. To provide clean drinking water even to the poorest section of society, the Delhi government is going to set up 1000 RO plants in JJ clusters, unauthorised colonies and water deficit areas in this financial year. A total outlay of ₹6,342 Crore is proposed in the Water Sector for the financial year 2023-24.
Social Security And Welfare
For the social and economic welfare of senior citizens, women, differently-abled and disadvantaged sections various schemes of pension ranging from ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 2,500 per month is being given to 8.82 lakh beneficiaries and an amount of ₹ 2,962 Crore is proposed for these beneficiaries in the year 2023-24. A total amount of ₹ 4,744 Crore is proposed in the Budget Estimates 2023-24 for Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department, and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department.
Power
The electricity rates in Delhi have not increased in the last 8 years. The Delhi government has treated providing minimum electricity to every household in Delhi like a fundamental right and in the year 2022-23, out of Delhi’s 58.5 lakh domestic consumers, about 84% had availed of the Delhi government's electricity subsidy scheme. In December 2022, the Delhi government notified the Draft Solar Policy of Delhi, which will establish. Delhi as a leading example for the country in the field of solar energy. Delhi Solar Policy 2022 aims to meet 25% of Delhi's annual electricity demand through solar energy by 2025, which currently stands at 9%. To achieve this, the policy has set a target of installing solar infrastructure with a capacity of 6,000 MW by 2025, which will include 750 MW of ‘Roof Top Solar’ (RTS). The policy also aims to generate around 12,000 green jobs in Delhi.
Delhi government today has come forward as an example for the world by setting up EV charging stations with the lowest charging tariffs. The minimum cost for EV charging is only ₹ 3 per kWh. First11 of 100 EV charging stations have been inaugurated on 18th October 2022. Another 30 charging stations will be launched in March 2023 and the rest in the next financial year. A total outlay of ₹3348 Crore is proposed in the Power Sector for the financial year 2023-24.
