Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented her government’s first budget for the national capital, unveiling a ₹1 lakh crore financial plan aimed at infrastructure, healthcare, and women’s welfare. Calling it a “historic budget,” she emphasized the need to rebuild Delhi after years of alleged mismanagement by the previous government. The budget saw a 31.5% increase from the previous year, with capital expenditure doubling to ₹28,000 crore. Gupta declared an end to corruption and inefficiency, announcing initiatives such as ₹5,100 crore for Mahila Samridhi Yojana, which will provide ₹2,500 per month to eligible women, and ₹2,144 crore for the PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
Infrastructure and public safety received a significant boost, with ₹3,843 crore set aside for roads and bridges and ₹1,000 crore for improved connectivity in the NCR. The government will install 50,000 CCTV cameras across the city to enhance security. Another ₹100 crore has been allocated to establish 100 Atal Canteens, while ₹696 crore will be used for the development of slum clusters. The budget also prioritizes environmental concerns, setting aside ₹500 crore for Yamuna cleaning, ₹750 crore for free laptops to meritorious students, and ₹100 crore for a pilot project to remove overhead electrical lines.
The BJP-led administration also made major allocations for healthcare and sanitation, earmarking ₹9,000 crore for clean drinking water, ₹500 crore for upgrading sewage treatment plants, and ₹250 crore to replace old sewer lines. Additionally, ₹210 crore has been allocated for expecting mothers, providing them with nutrient kits and a ₹21,000 allowance. The budget introduced a shift from pink tickets to smart cards for women’s free bus rides to prevent misuse. Gupta took a swipe at the previous AAP government, contrasting their policies, stating, “You built ‘Sheesh Mahal’ for yourself; we will build homes for the poor.”