Delhi Budget 2024-25: Kejriwal Unveils Rs 76,000-Crore Budget with Focus on Women Empowerment

Inspired by the vision of Ram Rajya, the Delhi government presented a substantial budget of Rs 76,000 crore, introducing a groundbreaking scheme for women. Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, eligible non-income tax-paying women above 18 years of age will receive Rs 1,000 every month. This initiative, described by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the world's biggest step towards women empowerment, is expected to benefit approximately 45-50 lakh women in the city.

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Allocations and Developments

The budget, presented by Finance Minister Atishi in the Delhi Assembly ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, prioritized various sectors. A significant allocation of Rs 900 crore was made for road development in villages, while Rs 902 crore was earmarked for the upliftment of 1,800 unauthorized colonies that house 30% of the city's population.

Education received the highest allocation of 22% of the overall budget, followed by housing and urban development (13%), health (11%), and transport (10%). Despite these allocations, the budget witnessed a reduction of nearly 3.7% compared to the previous fiscal year's allocation of Rs 78,800 crore. Notably, the allocations for the health and education sectors were also reduced.

GST Administration and Revenue

To boost revenue, the Delhi government plans to strengthen its Goods and Services Tax (GST) administration by making it faceless. This move aims to enhance tax collection efficiency. The government projects to source Rs 41,000 crore through GST and Value-Added Tax (VAT), which will constitute 70% of the total tax revenue estimated at Rs 58,750 crore for the 2024-25 budget.

Reactions and Criticisms

While Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders lauded the budget, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed it as a gimmick ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The budget's focus on women empowerment, infrastructure development, and improved public services was met with mixed reactions.

Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, announced during the budget presentation, aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women in Delhi. Under this scheme, women aged 18 and above, who are not income taxpayers and do not avail benefits from other government schemes, will receive Rs 1,000 per month. The government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the implementation of this scheme, which is expected to benefit around 45-50 lakh women in the city.

Other Key Highlights

The budget also included significant allocations for various sectors:

• Rs 3,353 crore for the power department to ensure 24X7 free electricity to over 40% of domestic consumers in Delhi.
• Rs 8,423 crore for civic bodies, focusing on improving infrastructure and services.
• Implementation of the Business Blasters scheme in universities and industrial training institutes (ITIs) to promote entrepreneurship among students.
• Rs 7,195 crore allocated to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to ensure the right to water and sewerage facilities for every household in Delhi.
• Plans to expand the public transport system with over 10,000 buses, including 80% electric buses. Allocations of Rs 510 crore and Rs 500 crore were made for the induction of electric buses and the Delhi Metro, respectively.

The Delhi government's budget for the financial year 2024-25 reflects its commitment to women empowerment, infrastructure development, and improved public services. While the budget witnessed a reduction compared to the previous year, the allocations prioritize key sectors and aim to address the needs of various segments of the population. The success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation and efficient utilization of resources.