Delhi 25 March 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented a massive Rs 1 lakh crore budget in the Delhi Assembly for the financial year 2024-25.
“This is the first determined step towards transforming Delhi, which has deteriorated over the past 10 years, into a developed city. A budget is being presented here today for a Delhi that becomes a confluence of its glorious history and a bright future,” Gupta, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said on the floor of the Assembly.
The CM apprised the House that they had increased the allocation of capital expenditure in this budget to develop the capital’s roads, drains, education and health.
“The capital expenditure this time has been doubled. Last year, it was around Rs 15,000 crore. This time, we have allocated Rs 28,000 crore,” she said.
The Chief Minister slammed the previous AAP government in Delhi for their policies. “It is very sad that in the last 10 years, Delhi has slipped on every parameter of development. The previous government hollowed out the economy of Delhi like termites. Dirty water and overflowing sewers had become the identity of Delhi,” the CM said.
Of the total budget, the Chief Minister allocated Rs 5,100 crore for the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, under which eligible women will get a monthly payment of Rs 2,500.
For the implementation of Union Government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, the Delhi Government had allocated a sum of Rs 2,144 crore in the budget.
“The last Chief Minister of Delhi did not allow the scheme to be implemented as he wanted his name on the scheme. The entire Delhi had to suffer because of his adamant nature… On the day I took charge, immediately after the oath, the first Cabinet meeting was held, wherein the decision was taken to implement Ayushman Bharat in Delhi,” Gupta said.
She said the scheme would soon be launched in Delhi, providing residents with Rs 5 lakh insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, and Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission. The Delhi Government would top up this coverage with an extra ₹5 lakh insurance for the people of Delhi, she said
For the development of slums in the capital, the government allocated Rs 696 crore.
“Providing basic amenities in slums and JJ (Jhuggi Jhopri) colonies is the government’s top priority. We are allocating Rs 696 crore to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for the development of slums and JJ colonies,” the CM said.
Notably, the BJP had in their poll manifesto decided to launch “Atal Canteens” in JJ clusters to provide nutritious meals at an extremely cheap price of Rs 5.
Giving details in the budget allocation for that, the CM said, “Food is a basic necessity for every person. To enhance food security and improve the nutritional status of economically weaker sections, we are launching 100 ‘Atal Canteens’ across Delhi in honour of the birth centenary year of late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A provision of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for this initiative,” she said.
Summary: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta presents a ₹1 lakh crore budget, allocating ₹5,100 crore for monthly financial assistance to women.