Delhi govt presents Rs 78,800-crore budget for 2023-24

Delhi govt presents Rs 78,800 crore budget for 2023-24 Finance minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday presented a Rs 78,800 crore budget in the Delhi assembly for the financial year 2023-24 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. This was the first time that Gahlot presented the budget after taking charge of the finance department following the resignation of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia who was arrested by the CBI in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case.

“I would have been happier if this budget had been presented by Manish Sisodia who is like my elder brother. The budget is an expression of expectations and aspirations of the people,” Gahlot said in his budget speech. Finance minister further said that the budget is dedicated to a clean, beautiful and modern Delhi with Rs 19,466 crore to be spent on upgradation of roads in next 10 years. The AAP presented its ninth consecutive budget. “Every possible help will be given to the MCD to remove the three mountains of garbage in Delhi. We will connect all colonies to the sewer network. Increase capacities of sewage treatment plants to clean the Yamuna river,” he said. In the fiscal year 2023–2024, local bodies will receive financial support of Rs. 8,241 crore, he declared.

The minister told the audience that nine programmes in the budget are related to getting ready for the G-20 conference. The government will upgrade and beautify the road network, build 26 flyovers, three double-decker flyovers in partnership with DMRC, include 1,600 e-buses, electrify bus depots, build ISBTs of the highest calibre, clear the Yamuna River, and work to remove landfill sites.

Ten out of 26 flyovers are under construction, and UTTIPEC has been made aware of the plans for the other 11 projects. Gahlot further bemoaned the fact that, despite its significant contribution, the Center has been giving Delhi just Rs 325 billion as its portion of federal taxes.