Key Highlights of Delhi Budget Speech 2024-25

Delhi Budget 2024-25, unveiled with pride in the Legislative Assembly, reflects a decade of transformative policies under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. This article delves into the budget’s core pillars, focusing on education, healthcare, and ensuring safety and dignity for women. As the Delhi Budget 2024-25 unfolds, it paints a picture of a city that has embraced progressive policies in education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s vision for Ram Rajya resonates through transformative initiatives, promising a brighter and more inclusive future for the people of Delhi.

BUDGET SPEECH

2024-2025

1. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I am presenting the Budget proposal for the financial year 2024-25 in this esteemed assembly. It is a matter of great pride for all of us that today the 10th consecutive Budget of Shri Arvind Kejriwal-led Government is being presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. I would like to express my gratitude first and foremost to the people of Delhi who have always showered us with their love, blessings, and trust.

2. I would like to personally thank the Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, who has entrusted me with the responsibility of presenting the budget for the first time as the Finance Minister in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Hon. Speaker Sir, today, I am not just presenting the budget for 2024-25; I am placing before this assembly the evolving picture of Delhi over the past 10 years.

3. Hon’ble Speaker sir, in 2013, when we entered politics, we observed that the people of Delhi were losing their trust in democracy. They used to vote in elections, but they always had a doubt in their mind about whether their vote could lead to any change at all. They believed that Governments come and go, leaders come and go, but the life of a common man never changes. The life of the common man was always filled with sorrow, difficulty, and struggle. When the salary of a common man was credited on the first day of the month and he gave it to his family, all of them worried about how they would survive the month with such a little amount in hand. As the 25th of the month neared, with money getting exhausted, homemakers would get anxious about how the last five days would be managed.

4. In a common household, if any member of the family fell ill, the family had to either put their jewelry at stake or even go to the extent of pledging their home to bear the expensive medical bills of private hospitals. An ordinary family also struggled to educate their children. They sacrificed their needs in order to send their children to expensive private schools. After working so hard to educate their children, the children often struggled to find jobs. These were the reasons why the common man had not only lost faith in the Governments but also in their votes.

5. In such a situation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came as a ray of hope for the people of Delhi. The people of Delhi placed their trust in him. With faith in his honesty, the people of Delhi elected Arvind Kejriwal as their Chief Minister with a significant majority.

6. We all are inspired by the life of Lord Ram, hence we pledged to realize the dream of Ram Rajya in Delhi. It is also written in the Ramcharitmanas that –

राम राज नभगेस सुनु सचराचर जग मा हं।

काल कम सुभाव गुन क ृ तदु:ख काहु ह ना हं॥

7. Meaning- “In the reign of Lord Ram, sorrow arising from time, action, nature, and qualities do not befall anyone.” And it is to realize this dream of Ram Rajya that we have been working day and night for the past 9 years. For the past 9 years, we have been striving to bring improvement in the life of every person in Delhi, making efforts to bring happiness, prosperity, and a healthy life to every family.

8. Speaker Sir, I understand that we have a long way to go in this journey to establish Ram Rajya. However, while presenting the 10th Budget of the Kejriwal Government, I can confidently say that in the past 10 years, there have been significant and positive changes in the lives of the common people of Delhi. The journey from 2014-15 to 2024-25 has been a transformative one for Delhi and its Whether it’s the growing economy of Delhi, the doubled per capita income, the transformation of government schools for children, the liberation of women from battles over water tankers, the splendid infrastructure of roads and flyovers in Delhi, or the provision of free hospitals and mohalla clinics for impoverished families – Delhiites have defined a journey from despair to hope. When we interact with the people of Delhi, we receive our report card every day in the form of smiles of children, women, and the elderly. However, today, before this assembly, I will also present a report card of the increasing strides towards Ram Rajya in Delhi over the past 10 years.

9. Whenever Ayodhya is described, it is said that there is no other city as beautiful and prosperous as Ayodhya across the world. Today, under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, we are also working hard in Delhi to bring prosperity as it was in Lord Ram’s Ayodhya. In the journey of establishing Ram Rajya in Delhi, an important indicator is the prosperity of the city of Delhi. In 2014- 15, Delhi’s GSDP was ₹ 4 lakh 95 thousand crores, and today, within ten years, Delhi’s GSDP has reached ₹1 1 lakh 8 thousand crores at current prices, which is 5 times higher. In 2014-15, the per capita income in Delhi was ₹2.47 lakh and in 2023-24, it has increased to ₹4.62 lakh at current prices; which is approximately 2.5 times higher than the national average. I am pleased to inform you that Delhi ranks first in per capita income among states with a population of over 1 crore.

10. In the past 9 years, both the prosperity of Delhi and its residents has increased, along with the progress of the Delhi Government. Due to a transparent governance model, there has been consistent growth in our revenue. In the fiscal year 2014-15, the budget expenditure of the Delhi Government was Rs 30,940 crores, and in the 10th budget of the Kejriwal Government, I am presenting a budget of Rs 76,000 crores for the financial year 2024-25 in this assembly. Rarely in the country’s history has there been such remarkable progress in the budget of any other state. In the fiscal year 2014-15, the capital expenditure was Rs 7,430 crores. In comparison, this year the capital expenditure is Rs 15,089 crores, which is more than double that of 2014-15. Hon. Speaker Sir, this growing budget is a true indicator of Delhi’s prosperity because, in this budget of Rs 76,000 crores, there is not a single penny coming from the central government as a share in central taxes.

11. Speaker Sir, it is said that in Ram Rajya, there was no poverty, and every family was prosperous. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal believes that the only way to eradicate poverty is to provide good education to every child.

EDUCATION

12. When the people of Delhi chose Shri Arvind Kejriwal as their Chief Minister in 2015, he made education his ‘Rajdharma’. Over the past 9 years, through his efforts, he has brought about significant changes in Delhi’s education system.

13. I remember that before Shri Arvind Kejriwal became the Delhi Chief Minister, the Delhi Government Schools were in a dilapidated state. As soon as one entered the school premises, they had to first bear the stench from the toilets. There was no drinking water facility, windows were broken, lights were not functional, there were no desks in the classrooms, no blackboards, and no teachers. The dilapidated, dark classrooms with crumbling walls gave the impression that the education of the children had been lost somewhere in darkness. Anyone sending their child to a Government school would do so with a heavy heart, wishing they had a little more money to afford private education for their children.

14. It felt like the fate of a three-year-old child was determined by the lines on their If the child was born into a wealthy family and his parents could afford the expensive fees of a private school, then his future was destined to be bright. They would get admission to good schools and colleges, graduate, and secure a well-paying job. If born into a poor family, their parents would send them to a dilapidated Government school, and perhaps, they might not even complete their basic education. Even if they managed to finish their studies, due to the poor quality of education in Government schools, they might end up working as a mechanic, a helper in a small shop, or doing household chores for someone else. In such circumstances, it was decided that the child of the rich would remain rich, and the child of the poor would remain poor. This situation was completely contrary to the dream of Ram Rajya.

15. However, the most significant change in the evolving picture of Delhi over these 10 years is observed in the government schools of Delhi. The education revolution of the Kejriwal government has completely transformed Delhi Government schools. It has changed everything. Today, a child from a poor family or an ordinary family can achieve anything by studying in Delhi Government schools. Just like our school children have achieved –

• Speaker Sir, Shimpi studied at a Delhi Government School in Rohini, Sector 23. Her father works in a small factory. To contribute to the household expenses, Shimpi used to give tuition to the children in her neighborhood. With the help of her school teachers, she prepared for the IIT-JEE. Today, she is studying Chemical Engineering at IIT Guwahati. This means that the daughter of a factory worker now has the potential to become a Managing Director of a factory in the future.
• Another student Himanshu, who studied at the Nand Nagri school in Delhi, also faced very difficult circumstances. When he was in the eleventh grade, his father passed away. To support his family, he used to work after school. Due to the good education level in the Delhi Government school, Himanshu cleared the NEET exam and today, he is pursuing MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi. In the future, he will become a prominent doctor in a city like Delhi.

16. Speaker Sir, this is nothing short of a miracle. Today, children from underprivileged families are also reaching great heights. If I have to narrate the stories of all the children like Shimpi and Himanshu, I am confident that we will have to then call a special session of the assembly. In just one year, 2023-24, around 2121 children studying in Delhi Government schools have cleared the JEE and NEET exams. Now, a poor child will not remain poor; they will become doctors, and engineers, start their own businesses, and in just one generation, lift their families out of poverty. Speaker Sir, this is the true realization of Ram Rajya.

17. Speaker Sir, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken several significant steps to transform Delhi’s education system. The first step was to increase the budget for the Education sector. Education has always been our Government’s top priority. That’s why, upon coming to power in 2015, we doubled the budget for education and consistently allocated almost one-fourth of the total budget to education for the past 10 years. In the budget of 2014-15, the expenditure on education was only Rs. 6,554 crores, and today, in the 2024-25 budget, we are proposing an allocation of Rs. 16,396 crores for education.

18. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal always says that we may construct fewer roads or flyovers in Delhi, but there should never be a shortage of funds for education. However, the divine grace of Lord Shri Ram has been so abundant on the people of Delhi, that in our Government, there has never been a shortage of funds for education or for constructing new roads and flyovers.

19. Speaker Sir, from the time of independence until 2014-15, the Government schools in Delhi had only 24,000 rooms available for the education of children. In just 9 years, the Government of CM Arvind Kejriwal has built 22,711 new Where children used to sit on the floor before, now there are colorful designer desks-benches in the classrooms. Where there used to be broken beakers and jars in the name of labs, today there are separate, modern labs for each subject – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science. In schools where blackboards were worn out and damaged, now every school has smart classrooms. Where stairs used to be broken, today there are magnificent lifts for the children. Today, the schools of the Delhi Government have surpassed even the private schools. The schools that used to have tents and makeshift arrangements have transformed into schools of talent.

20. After coming to power in 2015, for the first time, any Government prioritized The Kejriwal Government decided to send our teachers for training to the best universities in the world. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal believed that until we provide our teachers with world-class training, we cannot offer world-class education to our children. In the past 9 years, we have sent more than 400 principals to Cambridge and approximately 950 teachers to the renowned National Institute of Education in Singapore for training. Around 1700 principals have been sent to IIM Ahmedabad for training. And starting this year, we have also begun sending principals of Delhi Municipal Corporation schools to IIM for training.

21. We worked on connecting parents with schools. Earlier parents were hesitant about going to Government schools where their children studied, and were sometimes not even allowed inside the school gate. Today, schools welcome them through Mega PTM and school management committees. They are now actively participating in their children’s education.

22. Hon. Speaker Sir, in the academic year 2021-22, the Kejriwal Government launched Schools of Specialized Excellence to provide world-class education to the children of Delhi. Under this, 38 school campuses have been established across Delhi in 56 domains, including STEM, Humanities, Performing and Visual Arts, and High-End 21st Century Skills.

23. In 2014, when sending children to a Government school was a compulsion for families due to financial constraints, this year, there have been 140,000 applications for 6,000 seats in the Schools of Specialized Excellence (SoSEs). The proportion in which applications are received in SoSEs (School of Specialized Excellence); is perhaps even better than India’s IITs.

24. Speaker Sir, in addition to this, we have three more specialized schools – Armed Forces Preparatory School, Delhi Sports School, and Delhi Model Virtual School. It is a matter of great pride for us that out of the first batch of 76 students from Armed Forces Preparatory School, 32 have passed the written examination of the National Defence Academy (NDA) conducted by the UPSC.

25. In the field of education, another crucial step by Shri Arvind Kejriwal is the record recruitment of teachers and principals in schools. Before 2015, Delhi Government schools had 34,182 regular teachers. Today, there are 47,914 regular teachers in Delhi Government schools, and the recruitment process for approximately 7,000 more is underway. In 2023, for the first time, 324 principals were directly appointed from the UPSC for Delhi Government schools, setting a record. Additionally, 389 vice-principals were promoted to the position of principal, ensuring that almost all schools under the Delhi Government now have regular principals who act as school leaders.

26. World-class infrastructure, world-class teacher training, parental involvement, and Schools of Specialized Excellence have brought Delhi Government schools at par with the most outstanding schools in the country and the world. As a result, for the past 8 years, the board exam results of Delhi Government schools have been consistently better than those of private schools every year. The outcome of this is evident in the fact that in the last 3 years, more than 4 lakh children have taken admission in Delhi Government schools, forsaking private schools.

27. Hon. Speaker Sir, the story of the Kejriwal Government’s education revolution in the last 9 years is not limited to just schools; it has reached the higher education and technical education institutions of the Delhi Government. Sir, by 2014, the number of students in Delhi Government’s 3 universities – Ambedkar University Delhi, National Law University, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University – was 71,416. In the evolving picture of Delhi over the last 10 years, it’s important to note that the number of seats in these universities has increased to over 20,000. Currently, 93,880 students are pursuing their education here. Due to the efforts of the Kejriwal Government in the field of technical education, the number of seats has increased from 12,204 in 2014-15 to 62,000 in 2023-24. Additionally, the Kejriwal Government has started three new universities – Delhi Skills and Entrepreneurship University, Delhi Teachers University, and Delhi Sports University.

28. Speaker Sir, the Kejriwal Government has not only expanded the number of seats and courses in the field of technical and higher education but has also extensively expanded infrastructure. In 2016 and 2017, two new campuses of Ambedkar University were inaugurated in Karampura and Lodhi Road. In 2017, the Delhi Technological University’s East Delhi campus was started. Additionally, in 2020, two new campuses of Netaji Subhas University of Technology were established in Jaffarpur and Geeta Colony. In 2023, the Kejriwal Government inaugurated the East Delhi campus of the IP University.

29. Speaker Sir, over the past 10 years, the Kejriwal Government has demonstrated that with strong determination, any Government can provide world-class education and a better future for every child. If anyone has played the most crucial role in bringing about this educational revolution in Delhi, it is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and my elder brother, Shri Manish Sisodia. Today, in this assembly, I salute Shri Manish Sisodia’s love for children and his dedication to ensuring high-quality education for all children. Perhaps, without this love and dedication, such a significant transformation in such a short time would have been impossible.

HEALTH

Speaker Sir, the second principle of Ram Rajya is – the treatment of every ill There is a verse in Tulsidas ji’s Ramcharitmanas –

अप मृयु न हं कवनउ पीरा। सब सुंदरसब बज सररा।
न हंद रकोउ दुखी नद ना। नहं कोउ अबुध न लछन हना॥

31. Meaning- In Lord Shri Rama’s kingdom, there is a system for everyone to remain healthy and prosperous. No one dies young, and no one experiences any Everyone is beautiful and free from illness. No one is destitute, sorrowful, or poor.

32. Speaker Sir, it is a tragedy for our country that we are far from this vision. Until 2014, the condition of Delhi government hospitals was very poor. The hospitals were so dirty that there was no confidence among people that anyone could get proper treatment there. It seemed like those who went to Government hospitals would come out with four more illnesses. Recall the scene of a Government hospital – dirty floors, broken and foul-smelling toilets, soiled sheets, long queues at the OPD counter with no one to answer, and no pharmacist at the medicine The Government healthcare system itself was sick. If someone had a little money, they would think of taking their family member to a private hospital to save their life. The expense incurred in the treatment of a family member’s illness pushed the family into poverty. Speaker Sir, what kind of inhumane health system is this that leaves a person so helpless that, in illness, they have to choose between their father’s life and their family’s ancestral property?

33. According to the NSSO report of 2014, in Delhi, an average family had to bear expenses of up to Rs 38,000 for just one hospitalization. In 2014, the per capita income in Delhi was approximately ₹2,47,000. This means that a common family in Delhi had to spend 15% of its annual income on just one hospitalization.

34. But, the Kejriwal Government pledged that every resident of Delhi will have access to world-class healthcare, whether they are rich or poor. I am proud that in the 9 years since the Kejriwal Government took office, the healthcare system has made a journey from weakness to strength, and from despair to confidence.

35. Today, under the Delhi Government, there are 38 hospitals where treatment is provided free of cost to more than 81,000 daily OPD patients and 65,806 IPD patients monthly. In 2014, Delhi’s Government hospitals had 9,523 beds. Now, Delhi’s Government hospitals have 13,708 beds, enabling us to care for 1.5 times more patients. We have extended the timings of every hospital’s OPD counter and provided a receptionist at each counter. Learning from global standards of patient care, we have improved cleanliness, sanitation, and facilities in every hospital. By preparing an essential drug list, we have rigorously implemented the procurement of emergency medicines in every hospital, ensuring that there is no shortage of medications in any hospital.

36. Sir, since 2017, the Kejriwal Government has initiated a new policy – under which, if a patient in any Delhi Government hospital is unable to get a surgery appointment within a month, they can opt to get their surgery done in any private hospital, and the entire cost is borne by the Delhi Government. Through this initiative of the Kejriwal Government, people can now avail 1580 different types of free surgeries in private hospitals also.

37. Until 2014, people had to wait for months to get diagnostic tests done in Delhi’s Government hospitals. But today, the Kejriwal Government has changed this cumbersome system. Now, not only are tests conducted in hospitals, but they are also free. Today, if government hospitals are busy, the government arranges the facility of tests with private hospitals and centers. Since the inception of free diagnostic tests, the Government has gotten 5,66,000 tests conducted so far!

38. Not only within hospitals, but the Kejriwal Government has also stood with families in the struggle to reach hospitals in time. In 2014, the Government had about 155 CATS ambulances; today, there are 380 CATS ambulances in Delhi. By increasing this fleet every year, we have brought our ambulance’s average response time down from 55 minutes to just 15 minutes in the past 10 years.

39. Speaker Sir, a person who saves someone’s life is called a farishta or angel; they are given the status of God. But we all know that earlier, when there were road accidents in Delhi, the injured person would often succumb to death before reaching the hospital. People were afraid to take the victim to the hospital, thinking that the hospital would demand money for treatment, and they might get entangled in legal issues. For this reason, when we formed Government in Delhi, we launched the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme in Delhi. Under this scheme, if one takes an accident victim to the hospital, whether it’s a Government or private hospital, the entire cost of treatment is borne by the Delhi Government. So far, this scheme has saved the lives of 22000 people.

40. One of them is Suraj Kumar. Suraj Kumar met with a severe accident in Mayur Vihar Phase-1. He was admitted to a prominent private hospital where a lengthy treatment ensued, involving several surgeries. The total bill for the treatment amounted to 36 lakh rupees. As a factory worker, Suraj’s monthly salary was only a few thousand rupees. Even after investing his entire life savings, he couldn’t have covered such a massive bill. However, under the ‘Farishtey’ scheme, the Government covered the entire cost of his treatment. Suraj didn’t have to spend even a single penny.

41. To save every person’s life is indeed the vision of Ram Rajya. Ram Rajya prevails where every life is considered to be precious, and every possible effort is made to protect it.

42. Speaker Sir, the way a major illness or a major accident pushes a family into poverty, similarly, even a small illness disrupts the monthly budget of a common man’s family. If any member of the family gets a fever, a private doctor would charge a fee of Rs 500, provide a prescription listing medicines that costs no less than Rs 500 to Rs 1000, and suggest two or three tests, each incurring a cost of at least Rs 500. Just a small fever to a family member could result in an expense of Rs 2000. A typical family with a monthly income ranging from Rs 25,000 to 30,000 would often think twice before going to the doctor. Women suffered the most, as they often refrained from going to the doctor to save money. Due to this, minor health issues turned into major illnesses over the

43. But, I take pride in the fact that the Kejriwal Government has provided the country with the model of Mohalla Clinics – a model where there is an AC clinic with an MBBS doctor in your neighborhood, right near your home. Here, your consultation is free, your medicines are free, and even tests are absolutely free.

44. After making healthcare a top priority for 9 years, today I can proudly say that in our efforts to materialize “Ram Rajya”, we have opened 530 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi, where every day, 64,000 people receive free medicines, tests, and So far, Mohalla Clinics have conducted more than 7 crore OPD (Outpatient Department) visits. People from across the country and abroad have come to Delhi to see the model of Mohalla Clinics, whether they are Chief Ministers of Telangana or Tamil Nadu or former Secretaries-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. Perhaps there is no other healthcare model that has received so much praise nationally and globally.

45. The mention of the healthcare revolution in Delhi is incomplete without one name, and that is my elder brother, Shri Satyendar Jain. Just as Lord Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani mountain in the hour of crisis, similarly, Satyendar Jain, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has revitalized the ailing healthcare system in Delhi. On behalf of all Delhi people, I express heartfelt gratitude to Shri Satyendar Jain today.

SAFETY AND DIGNITY FOR WOMEN

46. The next core principle of Ram Rajya is the safety and dignity of women. Ever since Shri Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi, he has worked for people of all sections of the society; however, if Arvind Kejriwal has done the most work for anyone, it is for the women of Delhi, for his mothers and sisters. As a woman, I am proud that today CM Arvind Kejriwal has placed women at the forefront – who, for centuries, have kept everyone else’s needs in front of their Today, as the 10th budget of the Kejriwal Government is being presented, I can confidently say that in comparison to 2014 and 2024, there has been a significant change in the lives of women in Delhi. The Government has resolved their daily problems and provided them with an opportunity to live a better life.

47. Whether it is by providing free electricity and water to alleviate the concerns of women in the current era of inflation, or by taking the responsibility to fulfill their dreams through world-class education for children. Whether it is bringing freedom from long queues behind tankers for water, taking care of their health through excellent mohalla clinics and hospitals, or fulfilling the desire of elderly mothers to go on a pilgrimage that has been in their hearts for decades, Arvind Kejriwal has worked tirelessly in all these directions, day and night, over the last 9 years. He has given every woman in Delhi the freedom to live fearlessly and independently.

48. Sir, after our Government was formed in 2015 I visited some Government girls’ schools – I asked the girl students how many of them had brothers studying in private schools. I was astonished to see that at least 95% of the girls raised their hands. What did this mean? It meant that if a family had even a little money, they sent their sons to private schools for a good education, while the daughters were neglected and pushed towards dilapidated Government schools. But today, they are receiving world-class education in Delhi Government schools. We are providing world-class education to more than 9 lakh girls in our schools. This year, 933 girls from Delhi Government schools have passed the NEET exam, and 123 girls have passed the JEE exam. Today, girls studying in Delhi Government schools are becoming doctors, engineers, getting admission to top universities, and even starting their own businesses, providing employment opportunities for other women.

49. Sir, in the year 2014-15, when a girl from a common family wanted to go to college for her studies, her parents would refuse because the expenses for traveling were too high. Many women could not work just because the majority of their salary was spent on traveling. But Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave freedom to the women of Delhi from this, so that they can contribute to the society and economy. For the first time in the history of the country, in Delhi, a bus journey for women was made completely free – so that a woman can travel anywhere in Delhi without worrying about money and confidently, with her ‘Pink Ticket’ provided by her brother – Shri Arvind Kejriwal. Now, a woman doesn’t have to seek money from someone before leaving home.

50. According to the figures, the number of ‘Pink Tickets’ has consistently increased in the past few years. It was 17.7 crores in 2020-21 and has now reached 40.2 crores in 2022-23. In other words, approximately 11 lakh women travel for free on our buses every day. From 2019 until now, in just 5 years, Arvind Kejriwal has provided women in Delhi with the freedom to travel for free on buses 153 crore

51. Speaker Sir, although Law and Order do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Kejriwal Government in Delhi, still, fulfilling the responsibility of an elder brother, Arvind Kejriwal has made several efforts to make the streets of Delhi safe. Under the Chief Minister’s CCTV Scheme, there are now more than 2.60 lakh CCTV cameras installed in Delhi. According to Forbes India 2021 report, more than 1820 cameras have been installed per square mile in every part of the city. Now the figures for CCTV surveillance per square mile are such that Delhi has surpassed cities like New York and London today.

52. According to a report by an NGO named Safety Pin, in 2014, there were around 7,500 dark spots in Delhi. In these areas, criminals had open opportunities to commit crimes, and a woman had to think ten times before going there. To eliminate this fear, the Kejriwal Government made the roads safer with streetlights. Until 2014, there were 66,000 streetlights on PWD roads, but today, on 1,400 km of PWD roads in Delhi, there are more than 87,000 lights, meaning there are more than 62 lights per kilometer. Even within colonies, 2.80 lakhs LED street lights have been installed under the “Mukhyamantri Delhi Street Lights Scheme”.

53. Speaker Sir, whenever a daughter or sister in our families comes home, her elder brother or father gives her some money because they want their sister or daughter to fulfill her needs without being dependent on anyone. Today, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, fulfilling the duty of being an elder brother, and a son, is bringing the “Mukyamantri Mahila Samman Yojna” in the year 2024-25. Under this scheme, every woman above the age of 18 years will be eligible to receive an honorarium of Rs. 1000 per month. So, whether she is a daughter studying in college needing extra books, a daughter preparing for a Government job needing coaching, or a woman wishing to watch a movie in a cinema hall; now, they won’t have to ask for money from anyone for their expenses because their brother Arvind Kejriwal will provide them with Rs. 1000 every month.

54. Speaker Sir, it is written in our scriptures. Where the women are worshiped and respected; gods reside there, and where women are not honored, all the good deeds performed there become fruitless. I trust that due to the efforts made for ensuring women’s safety and dignity in Delhi, everyone will receive the blessings of Lord Shri Ram.

TEERTH-YATRA FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

55. Speaker Sir, every elderly person wishes to go on a pilgrimage after reaching certain stage of life. However, many times, despite their desire, they are unable to go. There may be a lack of funds, no one to accompany them, or no one to make the necessary arrangements. But the people of Delhi are fortunate that in 2015, they not only got Arvind Kejriwal as their Chief Minister but also a caring elder son for their families. Such a son, who has taken the responsibility of organizing pilgrimage trips for every elderly person in Delhi. In 2019, the “Mukhya Mantri Teerthyatra Yojna” was launched. Under this, our pilgrimage trains go to places like Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Rameswaram, Jagannath Puri, Dwarkadhish, Tirupati Balaji, etc.

56. Senior citizens can go on the pilgrimage by simply filling out a form and can take one attendant with them. The entire arrangement is taken care of by the Delhi Government, whether it’s the AC train, accommodation, local tours, food and beverages, or any other necessary items. Today, I am proud to say that under the Mukhya Mantri Teerthyatra Yojna, more than 87,000 elderly people and their families have gone on pilgrimages through 92 trains since 2019.

57. Speaker Sir, perhaps the most poignant story in the Ramayana is that of Shravan Kumar, who carried his blind parents on his shoulders for a pilgrimage. It would not be an exaggeration to say that in today’s modern era, if there is a Shravan Kumar, it is none other than Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal.

NO ONE SHOULD SLEEP HUNGRY

58. Speaker sir, it is said that in Ram Rajya, no one sleeps hungry.

59. In order to turn the vision of Ram Rajya into reality, our effort is also to ensure that no person in Delhi goes hungry and gets nutritious food. To ensure food for all we have implemented various schemes in Delhi.

60. In Delhi, there are 10,897 Anganwadi centers, through which we manage the nutritional needs of 8 lakh women and children. This includes providing nutritious hot meals to 1,80,000 children aged 3 to 6 years daily, nutritional supplements to 3,40,000 children up to 3 years, and nutritional supplements to 1,20,000 pregnant and lactating mothers. To prepare these hot meals and nutritional supplements, we have established 11 state-of-the-art, clean, and world-class kitchens in Delhi. The menu for children has been prepared by the country’s top According to this, various dishes are made for children by using high-protein ingredients like jowar, bajra, ragi, rajma, chickpeas and lentils.

61. Along with this, under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, we provide nutritious meals to over 20 lakh children studying in Delhi Government and MCD schools every day. These efforts in Anganwadis and schools have significantly reduced malnutrition in Delhi. In 2014, nearly 2 lakh children were affected by severe and moderate malnutrition in Delhi, and today, this number has reduced significantly by upto 5%, with just 16,814 malnourished children. This is no less than a miracle.

62. Sir, similarly the Kejriwal Government, through DUSIB, provides nutritious meals twice a day for approximately 17,000 individuals living in 198 shelter homes. During winters, this number increases to more than 20,000.

63. In the financial year 2024-25, we have allocated Rs 664 crores for all the nutrition-related schemes.

HONOURING OUR MARTYRS

64. Speaker Sir, honouring martyrs is the greatest of all deeds for an individual or the Government. The Kejriwal Government is the first in the country to provide a Rs 1 crore ex-gratia to the families of martyrs. Upon assuming office, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal initiated the practice of giving a Rs 1 crore ex-gratia to the families of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to protect the nation. This initiative by the Delhi Government instills confidence in all the uniformed personnel serving the country that the Government will stand with their families even if something happens to them.

65. Sir, today I am going to share the stories of some brave individuals before this assembly-

• Major Raghunath, a resident of Dwarka, was part of the third battalion of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment. Based on confidential information about a possible infiltration, on May 5, 2022, he initiated a campaign in Sukhdaar, Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, he was martyred in a military operation near the Line of Control.
• Shri Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Nangloi, was appointed as an Inspector in the 205 Cobra Battalion of the CRPF. In 2013, he was seriously injured in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh and remained unwell for an extended period. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2017.
• Speaker Sir, Praveen Kumar was posted as a fireman at the Bhorgarh Fire Station. During that time, a fire incident was reported in a factory near the CISF camp. While extinguishing the fire, Praveen Kumar got burn injuries and succumbed to septic shock during treatment.

66. In the past 9 years, the Kejriwal Government has provided an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore to families of 35 martyrs, including Late Shri Dinesh Kumar, Late Major Raghunath and Late Shri Praveen Kumar. The Kejriwal Government also honors the families of COVID front-line workers who were martyred in the line of duty with an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each.

67. To date, families of 92 COVID warriors who sacrificed their lives during the pandemic have received Chief Minister’s assistance and ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each.

68. Speaker Sir, there have been brave individuals in Delhi earlier too, but no one ever recognized their effort, and their families were never honored. However, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has instilled confidence in the courageous Delhi people serving the country that, God forbid, if something happens to them while performing their duty, their Chief Minister will take care of their family in their absence.

JUSTICE FOR ALL

69. The next principle of Ram Rajya is that there should be no injustice towards anyone.

70. In the narratives of the Ramayana it is said that in Ram Rajya, justice was available to everyone directly from Lord Ram’s court. The doors of Lord Ram’s court were always open for everyone so that he could protect his people from injustice.

71. In today’s modern era, lakhs of people go to the court in the hope of getting justice. But unfortunately, due to the lack of proper Judicial Infrastructure and a shortage of Judges, there are approximately 5 crore pending court cases across the country, making people wait for justice for years. There is a proverb that says – “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.”

72. Therefore, to ensure timely justice for the people of Delhi, the Kejriwal Government has taken several commendable steps. In the fiscal year 2014-15, the budget for the justice system was Rs 760 crores, and I am pleased to share that today, it has increased by nearly 4 times, reaching Rs 3,098 crores.

73. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the Kejriwal Government is going to start the construction of four state-of-the-art court complexes in Rohini, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rouse Avenue.

74. Along with establishing a robust legal infrastructure, the Kejriwal Government also provides access to lawyers for people to fight their cases. Often, an ordinary person cannot afford the expenses of lawyers, resulting in either not being able to fight the case or being compelled to withdraw the case. However, through the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA), the Delhi Government provides needy individuals with lawyers so that they can present their side in court, and a lack of funds does not become a hindrance on the path to justice. The number of people receiving free legal services through DSLSA was only 33,000 in 2016, while during 2022-23 this figure increased almost four times, reaching 1,25,000.

75. Before the Kejriwal Government came into power, an ordinary person had to face many difficulties in Government offices. For getting a small document made he had to endure being pushed around in government offices, stand in long queues, face neglect from employees in Government offices and give bribes.

However, through the “Doorstep Delivery of Services”, we have completely liberated the people of Delhi from the injustice happening in Government offices.

76. Now, there is no need for people to stand in long queues or run from pillar to post in Government offices to get any Government documents made. Neither does anyone have to give bribes. Whether you need to get a driving license, obtain an income certificate, register for marriage, or register construction workers, you just have to make a call to 1076 helpline. The government comes to your home and gets your work done. I am pleased to inform you that since its inception in the fiscal year 2018-19, more than 6.22 lakh people have received documents through the 1076 helpline.

ROZGAAR

77. Speaker Sir, it is the failure of previous Governments that unemployment is at staggering levels in the country. Educated youth today are wandering from pillar to post in search of employment. Our Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Delhi are playing a remarkable role in skill development for the youth. Currently, the Kejriwal Government is running 19 Industrial Training Institutes throughout the national capital. These institutes offer technical education and skill training in various fields, including electronics, fashion designing, computer operations, programming, and 3D modeling. Last year, over 10,000 students from these ITIs secured jobs in renowned companies such as Toyota, Maruti, Microsoft, etc.

78. Speaker Sir, over the past 9 years, we have brought about significant changes in the process of education in our universities as well. Understanding the needs of the 21st century, we have introduced several advanced degrees and diploma courses in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, business administration, design, architecture, automobile engineering, and more. This is to ensure that our youth are prepared from today for the future economy.

79. Sir, after coming to power, Shri Arvind Kejriwal established the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU). Today, this university has 18,529 students who are pursuing various skill-related courses. This year, our students have also received salary packages of up to Rs 10 lakhs! Sir, this success is not limited to just one university or college.

• In the academic year 2023-24, the placement rate of IGDTUW was recorded at 85%. This year, the highest salary package secured here was Rs 82 lakhs rupees.
• In 2023-24, the placement rate of IIITD was 75%. This year, the highest package offered at IIITD was Rs 49 lakhs rupees.
• In the academic year 2023-24, the placement rate of NSUT was 75%. This year, the highest salary package at this institution has reached Rs 80 lakhs.

80. Though the students studying in the Kejriwal Government’s universities are getting good jobs, it cannot be overlooked that today the country is standing amidst a job crisis. McKinsey’s 2020 Economic Report states that by 2030, India will need 9 crore non-farm jobs. From where will these new jobs come if every youth in the country continues to wait in queue for employment and keeps filling out forms for one Government examination after another?

81. Speaker Sir, only entrepreneurship can alleviate unemployment in our country. In this direction, in 2019, we introduced an Entrepreneurship Mindset curriculum in our schools. The goal is to make children so confident and capable that they don’t seek employment after their studies but become job creators. Under the practical component of this curriculum called ‘Business Blasters,’ students in the 11th and 12th grades of Delhi Government schools are given seed money of Rs 2000 so that they can collaborate with their peers to create a business model that can generate profit.

82. The Business Blasters program has yielded fantastic results. Our students are not only earning money through their outstanding startups in fields such as logistics, online gaming portals, Bluetooth speakers, dark chocolate, nutritional supplements, beauty products, etc., but they are also providing jobs to many people even before graduating from school.

83. Under this scheme, in the academic year 2023-24, around 2,40,000 students formed 38,000 teams and worked on their business ideas! Moreover, for the upcoming year, we have allocated a budget of Rs 40 crores to this scheme for student startups.

84. To further strengthen this model, the Kejriwal Government started Incubation Centers in its universities, where 122 students are receiving support ranging from mentorship by industry leaders to funding for their startups. This is aimed at enabling them to create companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon of the future, providing employment to lakhs of youth.

85. Anant Sharma, was an ordinary student at the Kejriwal Government’s IIIT Delhi. In 2019, during his graduation days, he started a startup called ‘Tweek Labs’ – which harnessed a new discovery in the field of sports technology. Starting small at the Innovation and Incubation Center at IIITD, his company progressed so much that Anant got a spot on the famous business reality show – Shark Tank. He presented his business pitch in front of the country’s most renowned entrepreneurs and secured funding of Rs 60 lakhs.

86. Anant’s story proves that if a talent gets support from the Government, the youth studying in Delhi or any other college across the country can change the world with their fantastic business ideas. I am delighted to announce that, drawing inspiration from the entrepreneurship revolution introduced in Delhi Government schools, from this year onwards, under the leadership of the Kejriwal Government, ‘Business Blasters Senior’ will be launched in all universities. Under Business Blasters Senior the seed money and support will be provided to the students for their startups. The Kejriwal Government will invest Rs 15 crores in the start-ups of our universities this year.

87. Speaker Sir, I request this assembly to envision the future, thinking about Delhi’s next 10 years. If even 5% of the 40,000+ business ideas generated in our schools prove to be successful, Delhi and the country will witness the rise of 2000 major companies after 10 years. These new companies will play a crucial role in eradicating unemployment and poverty from the country.

88. Speaker Sir, this is the ideal Ram Rajya.

LIGHTING UP EVERY HOME IN DELHI

89. After defeating Ravana, when Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya, lamps were lit in every home, and Diwali was celebrated. It is said that Ram Rajya is where every house is illuminated. Today, in Delhi, people don’t have to wait for Diwali to illuminate their homes; here, electricity is available 24*7, and every home remains illuminated.

90. Everyone would remember that long power cuts were a common occurrence in Delhi. During the summer of 2014, there used to be 8 hours of power cuts in Delhi, and blackouts were a regular thing. The electricity prices were also soaring. A typical family had to cut down on other expenses to pay their electricity bills.

91. In 2014, when the residents of Delhi were struggling with power cuts and expensive electricity, the peak demand for electricity was approximately 5,800 MW. However, as a result of the efforts of the Kejriwal Government over the past 9 years, in 2023-24, Delhi successfully met its peak power demand of 7,438 MW on August 22nd without any load shedding.

92. It is nothing short of a miracle that today, the Kejriwal Government is able to provide 24-hour electricity in Delhi, while offering the most affordable electricity in the country – More than 22 lakh families receive zero electricity bills. We often hear that in states where the government keeps electricity prices low, the distribution companies and their infrastructure deteriorate due to a lack of funds. However, this is not the case in Delhi. In the January rating released by the central government, all three Discoms (distribution companies) in Delhi received an ‘A+ rating.’ Delhi’s Discoms rank among the top 3 in the country, all of them operate at a profit, and the people of Delhi receive free electricity. Speaker Sir, if this is not Ram Rajya, then what is?

93. Inspired by the principles of Ram Rajya, a Government has responsibilities not only towards its people but also towards the environment. This is why the Kejriwal Government has not only increased the availability of electricity for the well-being of Delhi people but has also focused on green and renewable energy, keeping the environment in mind. Today, about 30% of Delhi’s power supply comes from green and renewable energy. Currently, 255 MW of electricity in Delhi is produced from rooftop solar power plants. Solar rooftop plants are installed on the roofs of 1280 Government buildings in Delhi, and I am delighted to share that by 2024-25, every building under the Delhi Government will have solar plants on its roof. The Delhi Government aims to have solar plants on the roofs of every building belonging to our Government, with a target of 4500 MW, which is 25% of the total power supply, coming from solar energy by 2027.

WATER

94. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that there is no greater virtuous deed than offering water to a thirsty person.

95. Speaker Sir, water is not just a necessity; but a foundation of a dignified life. In 2014, in Delhi, lakhs of people had to struggle for this dignified life. Whether in unauthorized colonies where water lines had not been laid for years, or in slums where women and girls had to wake up at four in the morning to stand in long queues near their homes, waiting for tankers. They had to plead in front of tanker mafias to fill water in their containers from the tanker. We often read in newspapers that there were fights and conflicts that often turned fatal, over filling water from tankers. A quarter of Delhi’s population used to grapple with this inhumane situation every day.

96. The Right to Water of a person cannot be determined by wealth or poverty. The Right to Water is the same for a family living in the slums of Delhi’s Navjeevan Camp as it is for a family residing in Maharani Bagh. With this vision, Chief Minister Arvind Ke]riwal started providing 20,000 liters of free water. Today, approximately 62.5% of homes in Delhi, which is around 17 lakh families, receive water completely free of cost. Not only that but after the Ke]riwal Government came to power, a total of 9,34,000 homes in Delhi have received water supply for the first time. Presently, the water availability in Delhi has increased from 840 MGD to 1009 MGD.

97. Water pipelines have been laid at a war footing level in unauthorized colonies and slums. There is likely no slum cluster in Delhi where water pipelines have not reached every household. Today, 99.6% of unauthorized colonies have water pipelines. In the direction of ensuring sewer facilities, there are a total of 4243 kilometers of sewer lines, and 1031 unauthorized colonies are now connected to the sewer network. After 2014, the Kejriwal Government has laid 2422 kilometers of new water pipelines and 3100 kilometers of new sewer pipelines, so that every Delhi resident can get the basic facilities.

URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

98. Speaker Sir, there is a detailed description of the beauty of Ayodhya in the The beauty of any modern city lies in its urban infrastructure. The construction of new roads and flyovers in cities not only enhances their beauty but also boosts the economy of the city.

99. In the last 10 years, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has developed a vast network of roads and flyovers in Delhi. The Kejriwal Government has constructed 30 new corridors, flyovers, bridges, and underpasses in the past 9 years, to make traffic smoother in the city. Some of these include Bhalswa, Burari, Mukundpur, and Jagatpur flyovers on Ring Road, an elevated corridor between Madhuban Chowk and Mukarba Chowk, Signature Bridge in North-East Delhi, Shastri Park-Seelampur Flyover, Ashram Chowk Underpass and Flyover in South Delhi, Sarai Kale Khan Flyover, RTR Flyover on Outer Ring Road, Benito Juarez Underpass, and more.

100. The construction of these flyovers has not only reduced traffic congestion in the areas but also transformed roads that used to take hours to cross into routes that can now be traversed in minutes. Until 2017-18, Delhi was the 4th most congested city in the world. Despite the increase in Delhi’s population and the number of vehicles, traffic congestion on the roads has decreased. Today, with the construction of roads, corridors, and flyovers, Delhi has come down to the 44th position.

101. The Delhi Government has also focused on building internal roads that connect Under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Punarnirman Yojana, approximately 850 kilometers of roads have been constructed so far.

102. Providing good public transportation facilities to every resident of Delhi is the responsibility of the Government. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister, significant improvements have been made in the public transportation sector in Delhi. By March 2015, a total of 193 kilometers of metro rail network and 143 metro stations were established in Delhi. However, in the past 9 years, the Delhi Metro network has doubled in length, reaching 393 kilometers, and the number of stations has increased to 288.

103. In 2014, around 24 lakh passengers used to travel daily in the Delhi Metro, and today, more than 60 lakh passengers are using the metro everyday. The Delhi Metro has now reached every corner of Delhi, whether it be Tikri Border, Samaypur Badli, Tikri Kalan, Badarpur Border, or Shiv Vihar.

104. Not only has the metro network expanded in Delhi, but there has also been a significant increase in the number of buses. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I am pleased to share that with a fleet of 1650 e-buses, Delhi is now ranked third among the world’s cities. Today, Delhi has a remarkable fleet of 7582 buses, the highest in the history of Delhi. Additionally, the Kejriwal Government will procure 2080 nine-meter e-buses, which will be used as mohalla buses for last-mile connectivity. I am pleased to inform you that by 2025, Delhi will have more than 10,000 buses, out of which 80% will be electric buses.

UNAUTHORIZED COLONIES – FACILITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

105. The life of Lord Shri Ram has taught us that we must think first about those who are the most neglected in society. Drawing inspiration from this, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has worked at a war footing to change the situation of unauthorized colonies in Delhi. Speaker Sir, a large part of Delhi’s population resides in unauthorized colonies. Today, there are approximately 1800 unauthorized colonies in Delhi, which host 30% of Delhi’s population. There was a time when the attitude of Governments towards the residents of unauthorized colonies was highly indifferent, and they were left to fend for themselves. During that time, Governments only remembered them when seeking votes. There was no drinking water, no roads, no sewerage, and no drains in these colonies. These colonies were surrounded by filth and garbage. Most of the inhabitants of these colonies were migrants who had come to Delhi with dreams of a better life but were compelled to live in substandard conditions. Even basic amenities were lacking for them.

106. But in 2015, when the Government of Arvind Kejriwal came to power, we prioritized providing the residents of these colonies with all facilities.. We made it our priority to develop infrastructure in unauthorized colonies and give people a dignified life. Along with increasing drains and water lines in unauthorized colonies, the Kejriwal Government has built 5175 kilometers of roads in 1355 such colonies. I am pleased to inform you that in the coming years, a provision of Rs 902 crores has been made in the budget for the upliftment of unauthorized colonies in the fiscal year 2024-25.

107. Speaker Sir, Lord Shri Ram left everything to fulfill a promise given to Mata Kaikeyi by Maharaja Dasharath, and went on a 14-year exile. He lived in the jungles, and struggled for 14 years. Lord Shri Ram faced the challenges but never backed down from fulfilling his promise. That’s why it is said, ‘Raghukul reet sada chali aayi, pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye.’ In the same way, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has promised the people of Delhi that he would make their lives better, provide them with a respectable life, give their children excellent education, and ensure better health facilities. To fulfill this promise, CM Arvind Kejriwal has faced many difficulties. During this time, there were attempts to stop the work of the people of Delhi by the opposition. Taking a cue from Lord Shri Ram’s life, CM Arvind Kejriwal has also fulfilled all his promises to the people of Delhi in the last 9 years, no matter how many difficulties he had to

108. CM Arvind Kejriwal’s struggle has transformed the lives of the people of Delhi. Now, women don’t have to stand in long queues for water tankers. People living in unauthorized colonies can now access basic amenities like roads, water, and Women, who were confined to their homes for years, can now step out with the help of the Pink Ticket. The elderly, who had been planning pilgrimages for decades, can now undertake free pilgrimages through the Chief Minister’s Tirth Yatra Yojana. Families who lost their sons at the border are honoured. Children from poor families receive excellent education, and every person has access to better healthcare. But I am proud to state that, despite all obstacles, CM Arvind Kejriwal has fulfilled all his promises in the last 9 years.

109. I am not saying that we have done everything; there is still much more to be done. But, the work accomplished in the past 9 years, despite numerous challenges, is nothing short of a miracle.

 

[PART A]

110. Hon’ble Speaker sir, I can say with confidence that we will continue our efforts for realizing the goal of Ram Rajya in Delhi in the coming year as well. Before presenting the budget proposal for the next year, I would like to shed some light on the current economic scenario of Delhi.

111. In the financial year 2023-24, Delhi’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown at a rate of 9.17%, which is an increase from the previous fiscal year’s Rs 15 lakh crores to an estimated Rs 11.08 lakh crores this year. During the financial year 2022-23, Delhi’s GSDP increased by 15.13% at current prices and 7.85% at constant prices.

112. The population of Delhi contributes to only 1.55% of the total population of the country. Yet, its contribution to the national GDP is more than double. In 2023-24, the contribution of Delhi in national GDP is going to be 3.89%, at constant prices.

REVISED ESTIMATES 2023-24

113. Speaker sir, the revised budget estimate for the financial year 2023-24 is proposed to be Rs 74,900 crores. This figure is 16.83% higher than the expenditure incurred in 2022-23, which was Rs 64,110 crores. Out of the proposed revised budget estimate, Rs 56,440 crores are allocated for revenue expenditure, and Rs 18,460 crores are allocated for capital expenditure. Establishment Expenditure and other committed liabilities are proposed to be increased from Rs 35,100 crore in the Approved Budget Estimate for 2023-24 to Rs.35,275 crores in the Revised Estimates.

SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS SOUGHT FOR THE YEAR 2023-24

114. Sir, the second and last batch of Supplementary Demand for Grants is Rs 86 crores in the Revised Estimates during the year 2023-24. Therefore, I seek the approval of the House for the Supplementary Demands for Grants.

115. Now, I present the Budget Estimates for the Next Financial Year before this House:

BUDGET ESTIMATES 2024-25

116. The Revised Budget Estimate for the year 2023-24 was Rs. 74,900 crore. I am pleased to announce that the proposed Budget Estimate for this year has increased to Rs.76,000 for this Financial Year 2024-25. This Budget Estimate includes Rs. 60,911 crore for Revenue Expenditure and Rs. 15,089 crore for

117. Speaker Sir, we are all well aware of the step-motherly treatment meted out to Delhi by the Central Government. All state Governments receive their share from the central pool of taxes and duties from the central Government, however, Delhi has never received its due share. While other states receive a share of 41% of all taxes collected by the Central Government, Delhi’s share from the central pool of taxes remained frozen at only Rs 325 crore from the year 2001-02 to 2022-23, this became zero in 2023-24. If the Central Government gives Delhi its fair share in the budget, then Delhi will get more than Rs 7200 crores every year. However, despite this step-motherly treatment by the Central Government, there has been a historic increase in Delhi’s budget in the last 10 years under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

118. The proposed Budget of Rs 76,000 crore for the financial year 2024-25 is to be financed by:

• 58,750 crore from Tax Revenue,
• 1,000 crore from non-tax revenue
• 10,000 crore from small savings loan
• 379 crore from capital receipts
• Nil from GST, Rs. 3,223.94 crore from centrally sponsored schemes
• Only Rs. 1,168 crore from Grant-in-aid of the Government of India and the rest from the opening balance.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO LOCAL BODIES

119. Speaker Sir, no state can make progress unless its local body is strong. Keeping this in mind, the Delhi Government will provide a total financial assistance of Rs 8,423 crore to the local body in the budget year 2024-25. Of this, Rs 3,153 crore will be for Education, Healthcare and Sanitation. Rs 2,955 crore will be given in the form of Basic Tax Assignment (BTA) and Rs 2,315 crore will be given as Stamp and Registration charges and one-time parking fee.

EDUCATION

120. The Kejriwal Government has been continuously allocating the largest part of its annual budget to the education sector. And this figure has been increasing year after year. I am happy to announce that the largest share of this year’s budget has been allocated to the education sector.

121. Prioritizing world-class teacher training, we are allocating Rs 100 crores to SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) for this purpose this year.

122. We have proposed Rs. 150 crores for the construction of new schools and classrooms and Rs. 45 crores for the maintenance of existing classrooms.

123. The Schools of Specialized Excellence (SoSE) is a pride of Delhi, and there are plans for its expansion in all zones in the coming time. A budget of Rs. 42 crores has been proposed for SoSEs this year. The Delhi Model Virtual School (DMVS) has revolutionized the field of virtual education. Due to adverse weather conditions, schools in Delhi often have to be closed. The Delhi Model Virtual School has emerged as an excellent solution to ensure that children’s education does not halt even if schools remain closed. We are proposing a budget of 12 crore for construction of a new studio, creation of infrastructure and developing learning material for DMVS.

124. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the 72nd and 73rd amendments to the Constitution has empowered panchayats and local bodies by giving them decision making powers, thus decentralizing governance; similarly, the Right to Education Act has empowered parents of children studying in schools by creation of School Management Committees (SMCs). Today, SMCs have empowered parents to make decisions concerning the school where their children are studying. Earlier, when SMCs were not there, schools were forced to run around government offices and officers for getting even small works done. This changed after SMCs were made. This year our government has allocated a budget of 40 crores for

125. The Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum in Delhi Government Schools, and its practical component Business Blasters, has created an army of young entrepreneurs in Delhi in two years. For this, a provision of Rs 40 crore has been made for the entrepreneurship development program in the Budget Estimate 2024-25.

126. The ‘Chief Minister Super Talented Coaching Scheme’ aids students studying in Government schools in preparation for JEE (Main/Advanced) and NEET Under this scheme, 600 students have been selected for scholarships in the financial year 2023-24. A proposed budget of Rs 6 crores is allocated for this scheme in the financial year 2024-25.

127. Hon’ble Speaker, sports are as important as education. To provide better sports facilities to our athletes in Delhi, I propose a budget of Rs 118 crores for sports education in this financial year.

126. Speaker Sir, this year we have proposed a budget of Rs 1212 crores for higher education and technical education. This includes Rs 165 crores for Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Rs 56 crores for Netaji Subhash Technical University, Rs 42 crores for Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Rs 41 crores for Delhi Technical University, and Rs 92 crores for Ambedkar University. Additionally, we have proposed Rs 242 crores for our ITIs.

129. Sir, the Kejriwal Government is set to launch a new initiative called “Business Blasters Senior” in universities and ITIs to promote entrepreneurship among higher education students. I propose a budget of Rs 15 crores for this scheme in the financial year 2024-25.

130. I am pleased to inform you that this year we are proposing a budget of Rs 16,396 crores for the Education sector.

HEALTH SERVICES

131. Speaker Sir, I propose a budget of Rs 6,215 crores for our hospitals to maintain good facilities and ensure that our hospitals remain world-class in the upcoming fiscal year. In this fiscal year, we are allocating Rs 719 crores for the L.N.J.P. Hospital, Rs 497 crores for Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Rs 490 crores for G.B. Pant Hospital, Rs 352 crores for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Rs 350 crores for Maulana Azad Medical College and Rs 291 crores for Baba Saheb Ambedkar

132. Speaker Sir, through the exemplary model of Mohalla Clinics, the Kejriwal Government has made healthcare easily accessible for even the poorest of the poor in Delhi. In this direction, I propose a budget of Rs 212 crores this year to ensure that the people of Delhi continue to receive excellent medical treatment through the Mohalla Clinics.

133. To ensure an adequate supply of essential medicines in Delhi Government hospitals and to provide free medications to all those in need on time, I propose a budget of Rs 658 crores for this fiscal year.

134. In this fiscal year, I propose a budget of Rs 400 crores for the construction of new hospitals and the expansion of existing hospitals through remodeling.

135. Under the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme of the Kejriwal Government, facilities for free treatment, surgery, radiology, diagnostic services, and medical care are being provided. In the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, I propose an allocation of Rs 80 crores to make free healthcare services available through the Delhi Arogya Kosh.

136. In the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, I propose an allocation of Rs 194 crores for the purchase of new ambulances for Centralized Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) in Delhi.

137. Sir, for the financial year 2024-25, I propose a budget of 8,685 crores for the health sector.

POWER

138. Speaker Sir, there are 58.86 lakh domestic electricity consumers in Delhi currently, out of which 68.33% i.e. 40.22 lakh domestic electricity consumers are getting the benefits of electricity subsidy from the Kejriwal Government. In 2023, around 3.41 crores zero electricity bills were issued to consumers. We will continue this subsidy scheme this year

139. In order to promote the usage of solar energy in Delhi, the Kejriwal Government has proposed the “Delhi Solar Policy-2023”, which is currently in the process of gazette notification. As per the Policy, any consumer who uses more than 400 units of electricity, will receive zero bills if they install adequate solar panels. The Government will not only give subsidies for installation of solar panels but will also give money for per unit electricity production from solar

140. Sir, I propose a budget of Rs 3,353 crore for the power sector for the year 2024-

WATER AND SEWERAGE

141. Speaker Sir, in the direction of ensuring the right to water and sewerage facilities for every household in Delhi, I propose a budget of Rs 7,195 crores for the Delhi Jal Board in the fiscal year.

TRANSPORT

142. Speaker Sir, Delhi has a bus fleet of 7582 buses currently, which is being used by more than 41 lakh passengers on a daily basis. To expand this fleet further, a Concession Agreement for the engagement of 1,900 new e-buses has been signed. I propose a budget of Rs 510 crores for electric buses during 2024-25. I also propose Rs 340 crore in 2024-25 to continue the scheme of free bus travel for women in DTC and cluster buses through ‘Pink Tickets’.

143. Due to the constant efforts made by our Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the work on Phase-4 of Delhi Metro will be started soon. An MoU will be signed for the construction of three corridors namely Janakpuri West to Ramakrishna Ashram Corridor, Delhi Aerocity to Tughlakabad Station Corridor, Majlis Park to Maujpur Corridor. There will be 45 stations on these three metro corridors totaling 65.20 In this financial year, I propose an outlay of Rs 500 crore for Delhi Metro.

144. In order to further improve the public transportation system of Delhi, I am proposing a budget outlay of Rs 5702 crore for the financial year 2024-25.

LAW AND JUSTICE

145. Sir, the Kejriwal Government is committed to provide excellent judicial infrastructure in Delhi. In this direction, we have approved the construction of 3 new court complexes, whose total cost is Rs 1,108 crore. The Government has also worked on the appointments of judges on a large scale.

146. A new scheme for hybrid hearings in district courts is also proposed and a share of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for this scheme in the budget estimate for 2024-25.

147. I propose Rs 3,098 crores in the Budget Estimate 2024-25 for various works by the Law and Justice Department.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

148. The quality of road infrastructure is a crucial determinant of the pace of the economy of any country. The more the Government invests in roads, the more it enables time and cost savings for the common people.

149. In this direction, work of several new flyovers and elevated corridors will be completed and dedicated to the people of Delhi in 2024-25-

• Barapullah Phase-III,
• Double Decker Metro Flyover on Brijpuri Junction via Karawal Nagar, Gonda,
• Flyover on Nand Nagari to Gagan Cinema Junction,
• Double Decker metro Flyover on Rani Jhansi Road Junction to Azadpur Corridor,
• Flyover from Anand Vihar ROB to Apsara Border ROB
• Underpass on Outer Ring Road Mukarba Chowk

150. Nearly 80% of the work on the integrated corridor between Punjabi Bagh flyover and Raja Garden flyover has been completed. I am happy to share that by the end of 2024-25, 6 new flyovers will be dedicated to the people of

151. As part of the mission to improve Delhi’s roads and make it one of the best in terms of road networks in the world, I propose Rs 1,768 crore in the Budget 2024-25 for road and flyover projects in Delhi.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

152. Speaker Sir, our Government is committed to providing basic facilities to improve the lives of 40 lakh people living in unauthorized colonies. To continue the work of expansion of roads and drains in unauthorized colonies of Delhi on war footing, I propose Rs 902 crore in Budget Estimates 2024-25.

153. Sir, our Government is implementing the ‘Strengthening and augmentation of infrastructure’ scheme, also known as the MLALAD scheme, for maintenance of Roads, Streets, Street lights etc. in each assembly constituency. Under this scheme, 1,002 new projects have been approved for the year 2023-24, out of which 717 projects have been completed. In order to continue this development work, I propose Rs 400 crore under the MLALAD scheme in the Budget Estimate 2024-25.

154. Speaker Sir, under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sadak Punarnirman Yojana’ and ‘Mukhya Mantri Street light Yojana’, the condition of roads and streets of Delhi are being continuously improved and the roads have been made safe by reducing dark I propose Rs 275 crores in the Budget Estimate 2024-25 for these schemes.

155. Speaker Sir, I propose Rs 9,800 crores for schemes in the Housing and Urban Development sector in the financial year 2024-25.

DEVELOPMENT OF DELHI’S VILLAGES

156. Speaker Sir, the people living in Delhi’s villages have given a lot of love and respect to CM Arvind Kejriwal. To develop better road infrastructure in the villages, this year the Kejriwal Government will lay about 1000 kilometers of roads in more than 360 villages of Delhi. This will give a great boost to the village economy. For the development of the villages of Delhi, I propose a budget of Rs 900 crore in the financial year 2024-25.

SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE

157. Speaker Sir, our Government is providing financial assistance to senior citizens, women and specially abled people through various schemes. Around 9.03 lakh beneficiaries are receiving financial assistance ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 every month. This includes 4 lakh senior citizens, 3.75 lakh widows and women in distress and 1.23 lakh persons with special needs. I propose Rs 2,714 crore for these beneficiaries in the budget of 2024-25.

158. The Kejriwal Government is bringing ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ for the welfare and empowerment of women from 2024-25. This will be the world’s biggest scheme for empowering women. Under this revolutionary scheme, every woman above 18 years of age will get an amount of Rs 1000 per month. The following women will not be eligible for this scheme:

1. Who are currently a part of any Government pension scheme, or

2. Who are Government employees or

3. Who are an income tax payer

159. For benefiting from this scheme, any woman who is eligible will have to fill a form and give a self-declaration that she is not a part of any Government scheme, is not a Government employee and is not an income tax payer. On the basis of self-declaration, that woman will start getting the benefits of this scheme. Along with the form, every woman will have to provide her Aadhar card and bank account information. For the financial year 2024-25, I propose Rs 2000 crore for ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’.

160. Sir, I propose a budget outlay of Rs 6,216 crore for various schemes under the Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department.

[PART-B]

161. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, in the first part of the budget speech, I elaborated on the Government’s policies and initiatives. Now, I will discuss the efforts being made to increase Government revenue.

162. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the tax collection for GST and VAT until January 2024 witnessed a growth of 13.96% compared to the previous year (until January 2023), reaching Rs 31,445 crores.

163. Speaker Sir, the Kejriwal Government has consistently worked for the improvement of businesses and traders of Delhi over the past 9 years to ensure that an honest individual is not troubled, and Government revenue continues to grow. In this direction, we have simplified regulations for businesses. Now, without navigating through Government offices, traders can seamlessly conduct all their work from the comfort of their offices through faceless services provided by the Government. As a result, there has been a growth in both business and tax collection in Delhi in the past years.

164. Today, there are a total of 7.88 lakh GST taxpayers in Delhi, out of which 4.82 lakh taxpayers come under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government. The remaining 3.06 lakh taxpayers come under the Central Government.

165. Speaker Sir, we have strengthened the audit process in Delhi. Based on Ground Intelligence, Business Intelligence and Fraud Analysis (BIFA), GST Portal intelligence, Delhi Government is conducting special auditing – so that tax evasion can be stopped. Through the auditing process, by conducting 167 special audits this year, a total tax deficiency of Rs 5,321 crore has been On the basis of this ground intelligence, the Kejriwal government has also taken strict action against fake traders. According to intelligence reports, by doing field verification, we have suspended a total of 2911 fake firms and detected tax evasion of Rs 1316 crore.

166. Now the next step of the Kejriwal government is to make the IT infrastructure of GST state-of-the-art and the entire GST Tax Administration faceless. In this direction, our government is working on data analytics and automation software in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad. This will help in tracking, monitoring and simplifying the refund process through artificial intelligence and data-analytics. This will reduce processing time and errors in files. This will help in detecting defaulters and tax evasion and taking action against them. This entire process will not only promote transparency in the system but will also eliminate corruption in the Tax Administration due to it being faceless.

167. The Delhi Government is committed to increase excise revenue effectively. The government is committed to put a stop to illegal liquor trade and quality control of liquor in the city through measures like Faceless Enforcement and strengthening the Excise Intelligence Bureau.

168. The government has restored the excise duty based system from September The hospitality industry is making a significant contribution in improving the overall economy of the state by providing employment, tax generation and promoting tourism. The government is working on developing new technology to enhance and upgrade the existing technology of Liquor Supply System Management.

169. Vehicle tax collection in the year 2023-24 (till January, 2024) stood at Rs 2,687.98 crore with an increase of 11.88 percent as compared to the previous year (till January, 2023).

170. In the year 2023-24 (till January, 2024), the tax collection of stamp and registration fees (including land revenue) stood at Rs 5,797 crore, an increase of 81 percent as compared to the previous year (till January, 2023).

171. Speaker Sir, as I conclude, I would once again like to salute Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal who has governed our city – for his family of 2 crore people in Delhi – with the same responsibility and affection with which a person cares for his own family. He has taken care of every person of Delhi, whether it is by giving quality education to children like a father, or by sending elderly parents on a pilgrimage as a son, whether it is by giving Rs 1000 every month to his sister, or providing a brother with good healthcare. In this journey of ten years, Shri Arvind Kejriwal has fulfilled all these responsibilities for his family of 2 crore people in Delhi. I am confident that the people of Delhi will always shower their blessings and love on their son Arvind Kejriwal ji in his resolve to realize Ram Rajya. And I can say with certainty that with this love received from the people of Delhi, the Kejriwal government will continue to present the budget in this Legislative Assembly in the coming five years as well.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

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