Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (File)Delhi Budget 2023 Highlights: Jailed AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s judicial custody has been extended for 14 days in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Special Judge M K Nagpal sent Sisodia to jail till April 5 after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced him on the conclusion of his custodial interrogation in the matter. On Monday, the CBI, too, had opposed his bail plea and told a court that a “person is a saint till the time his illegalities are discovered”.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot presented a Rs 78,800 crore budget in the Delhi Assembly for the financial year 2023-24, a short while ago. The Delhi government’s budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the previous year and has increased by 8.9 per cent. The minister said the budget is dedicated to a clean, beautiful and modern Delhi ahead of the G-20 summit late this year. “I would have been happier if it this budget was 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.
He announced that the government planned to remove all three landfill sites in the national capital in the next two years. A loan of Rs 850 crore has been earmarked for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the removal of garbage. “The three mountains of garbage are a black spot in Delhi’s image. Though it is MCD’s duty to tackle the garbage mountain for the people of Delhi, the Kejriwal government will work in tandem with MCD to tackle the issue. We will provide all possible support to ensure the end of these mountains,” Gahlot said.
The tremors in Delhi lasted several seconds, with people sharing videos on social media of fans swaying and furniture in homes rattling. (Express)
Upset over his prolonged illness and treatment cost, a 24-year-old man checked into a hotel room in Northwest Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar and allegedly committed suicide Wednesday.
Police said the man, identified as Nitesh Kumar, died of oxygen toxicity. He left a purported suicide note, stating that he was “upset” over his treatment cost and didn’t wish to burden his family. (Read More)
No new major project was announced for the health sector in the budget presented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi Wednesday.
The budget allocation for the sector, one of the Delhi government’s key focus areas, reduced slightly from Rs 9,769 crore last year to Rs 9,742 crore this year.
Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot mentioned that four of the 100 Mahila Mohalla Clinics, which were announced by CM Arvind Kejriwal last year in November, have started functioning. (Read More)
Arvind Keriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi Wednesday presented the annual budget of Rs 78,800 crore for the fiscal 2023-24, with an allocation of around Rs 22,000 for major infrastructure projects in view of the G20 Summit in September.
Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot, who tabled the budget in the Delhi assembly, said that as compared to the revised estimates, the budget allocation increased by 8.9 per cent. “The capital expenditure is 27.8 per cent of the total budget,” Gahlot said (Read More)
Education, like in every budget of the Delhi government till date, has the highest percentage allotted to it — 21% of Rs 78,800 crore.
The government, which has focused on the creation of Schools of Specialised Excellence, seen as the AAP government’s flagship projects, will now include foreign languages such as French, German, Japanese and Spanish as part of the curriculum.
These schools have the best infrastructure among all government schools. Students can take admission in Class IX, after an entrance test. All of them are affiliated to the New Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE). They allow students to specialise in their chosen fields of study such as STEM, performing arts, humanities, entrepreneurship and preparation for armed forces. (Read More)
? All the 1400 km of PWD roads having ROW of about 60 feet will be redeveloped and made clean and beautiful. 70 mechanical road sweepers for each assembly and anti-smog guns and 250 small water sprinklers will be purchased to clean the roads, sidewalks, pavements, central verges, trees and plants.
? Plants, shrubs and trees will be installed on all the vacant patches on the roads. Painting work like lane marking, zebra crossing, grills, kerbstones and etc will take place every three months.
? Regular carpeting of roads in a gap of five years will take place. Not a single pothole will be found on Delhi roads and if any pothole is found, the contractors will repair it immediately. A contract for maintenance will be signed.
? 26 more flyovers, some of which are in pipelines will be constructed under this years budget.
? Three unique double-deckers are being constructed. If it becomes successful, we can imply this on more metro lines and construct flyovers in future.
? 1400 new modern bus queue shelters to be created. Cleaning Yamuna River, cleaning of STPs and the sewage treat will go from 370 to 890 MGD
? 3 garbage mountains will be cleaned by December 2024 and RS 850 CRORE extra will be given to MCD as a loan.
"This year's budget is to make Delhi a clean, beautiful and modern city. Till now, we have invested in Education, health and power and those investments will continue but this year's budget will focus is on infrastructure. Delhi is our capital city. When people come here, they should feel that they have come to the capital city of a great nation," CM Kejriwal said in a press conference today.
"It is often said that the budget promises are not fulfilled but last year we announced to make Delhi a "city of tiranga" and today, you go and see, you will find 500 national flags, it will make your heart happy and instil patriotism in you," he said.
"Delhi has made huge progress in the transport sector in the past years when our government was formed in 2015, the total network of the Delhi metro was only 193 km along with 140 stations but in the last 7-8 years, it has increased to 390 km and 286 stations. This shows what Delhi achieved in the 17 years, under the previous government and the achievements that have taken place in the last 7-8 years. The no. of buses in the city's fleet also increased from 5600 to 7379 in Delhi." the Delhi CM said.
"It is obvious that the government requires money for providing free service but despite that, the AAP government is making a profit and growing. While other governments are neither proving any free schemes nor subsidies, then also they are running into losses," the Delhi CM said.
"We are giving free schemes and making a profit. All the free services and schemes will continue and the common man will continue to get relief from inflation. All the steps that were being taken earlier against corruption will continue, all the faceless services will continue and it will also be implemented in other departments, " he said.
"There is something for everyone---rich, poor, man, woman, senior citizens and all those coming from different backgrounds in this budget. All the surveys show that the lowest inflation is in Delhi in comparison to other cities. And the reason behind this lowest inflation is that the Delhi Government gives subsidy and provides services like electricity, water, health and travel for women is free," said Kejriwal.
The Delhi administration presented its Budget document on Wednesday, a day after it was initially supposed to be tabled in the Assembly.
"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's ninth budget and the Delhi Budget for 2023-24 was "finally" presented today. We missed our permanent Finance minister Manish Sisodia, the entire Delhi missed him as they had gotten used to listening to his budget reading," said CM Arvind Kejriwal, after the budget presentation today.
He then went on to congratulate Kailash Gehlot for presenting a "very well budget this year."
? A Delhi court on Wednesday sent former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to 14-day judicial custody in a money laundering case arising out of the excise policy matter.
? Special Judge M K Nagpal sent the senior AAP leader to jail till April 5 after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced him on the conclusion of his custodial interrogation in the matter.
? The CBI on February 26 arrested Sisodia in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
? The ED then arrested Sisodia on March 9 in Tihar jail, where he was lodged in connection with the case being probed by the CBI.
? The ED case was registered on a CBI FIR filed last year. In January, ED filed a supplementary chargesheet and claimed that the excise policy was created by top leaders of AAP to generate and channel illegal funds to themselves.
Cement blocks that acted as barricades in front of the British High Commission in Delhi and the British High Commissioner’s residence were removed, in what was seen as a retaliation for the lack of visible security at the Indian High Commission in London. The Indian High Commission in London does not have any visible security outside the premises, and a group of people chanting pro-Khalistan slogans had vandalised the consulate on Sunday.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana termed the budget “very disappointing.”
“The government has shifted its focus from health and education because it failed to fulfill the promises announced in previous budgets. The allocations of health, transport, and social welfare sectors have also been reduced. It means that the government is not serious about the programs under these sectors. The focus on infrastructure has been made to steal credit from central government which is doing a lot of infrastructure augmentation and enhancement works in Delhi," he said.
Cement blocks that acted as barricades in front of the British High Commission in Delhi and the British High Commissioner’s residence were removed, in what was seen as a retaliation for the lack of visible security at the Indian High Commission in London. The Indian High Commission in London does not have any visible security outside the premises, and a group of people chanting pro-Khalistan slogans had vandalised the consulate on Sunday.
The Indian government had lodged a protest by calling in the senior-most diplomat at the British High Commission. The Ministry of External Affairs had demanded an explanation for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. “She [Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott] was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention,” MEA had said, adding that “India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK.”
Jailed AAP leader Manish Sisodia's judicial custody has been extended till April 5 in connection to the excise policy case. Sisodia was produced before Special Judge MK Nagpal as his custody was expiring today. -- Anand Mohan J reports
The Delhi Police has removed around 12 barricades from outside the British High Commission Embassy and from outside the residence of the British High Commissioner in Chanakyapuri. All barricades have been removed after directions came from Delhi Police headquarters, sources in Delhi Police confirmed to The Indian Express.
The ongoing session of the Delhi Assembly has been extended till March 27, according to an official communication, PTI reported. The session was earlier scheduled to end on Thursday.
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha had on Tuesday requested Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel to not hold the session on March 23, the martyrdom day of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. The speaker has accepted his request. (PTI)
Delhi's Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot completed his over two hours and 35 minutes long budget speech.
While presenting the Delhi budget 2023-24, 77,000 elderly pilgrims have benefited under the Delhi govt's free pilgrimage scheme. Gahlot said that this scheme will continue in the coming financial year.
The Delhi government has allocated Rs 3,348 crore for the Power sector, said Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot.
An amount of Rs 6,342 crore has been allocated for Water and Sanitation for the year 2023-24.
The water availability in Delhi will be increased from 995 million gallons to 1240 MGD by March 2025, said Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot.
While presenting the budget 2023, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said the govt to soon launch an app-based premium bus aggregator scheme.
The Delhi government has allocated Rs 9,742 crore for Health in 2023-24, a marginal decrease from Rs 9,769 crore last year.
The number of free diagnostic tests in Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics increased from 256 to 450 this year, said Kailash Gahlot. These tests will also be conducted in polyclinics and dispensaries, he said.
? Due to the efforts of Delhiites, PM-10 and PM-2.5 have reduced by more than 30% in the last 8 years, Gahlot said.
? The presence of PM-10 in Delhi has decreased to 223 PPM in 2022 from 324 PPM in 2014. PM-2.5 decreased to 103 PPM in 2022 from 149 ppm in 2014.
? The number of “Severe” air quality days has come down from 26 days in 2016 to 6 days in 2022, Gahlot said.
? Under the budget 2023-24, the Delhi Government has proposed a new anti-pollution war plan for the city.
? A Real-time pollution data lab to be set up in each district of Delhi. To reduce dust 52 lakh trees will be planted.
The Delhi government has proposed to open 100 Mahila Mohalla Clinics. The scheme was implemented last year, and currently, there are 4 clinics.
A budget of Rs 16,575 crore has been earmarked for the education sector, Kailash Gahlot said. This is a slight increase from last year which was Rs 16,278 crore
The Delhi government has proposed to develop a multipurpose sports complex at Samaspur Khalsa in Najafgarh for which 35 acres of land have already been allocated.
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the strengthening of Delhi’s education system has helped is securing 98% pass results in the 12th class. A total of 493 children qualified for JEE Mains and 648 qualified for NEET, he said.
Languages including French, German, Japanese and Spanish will now be taught in Schools of Specialized Excellence of the Delhi Govt. schools, Gahlot said.
A total of 20 new computers will be provided to all the Delhi Government schools, said Kailash Gahlot. Rs 350 crore has been earmarked for this.
Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the government has allocated a large share of the total budget to the education sector. "Whenever, someone talks about education and schools, the schools and education model of Delhi is discussed. It was even published in New York Times," he said.
The Delhi government has proposed to clean all three landfill sites in the next two years. Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that by December 2023, the Okhla landfill, the Bhalswa landfill by March 2024 and Ghazipur landfill by December 2024. To help make Delhi a clean, beautiful and modern Delhi, a loan of Rs 850 Crores is proposed to the MCD in the financial year 2023-24.
The Delhi government has earmarked Rs 3,500 crore for the upgradation of public transport in 2023-24, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot.
While presenting the budget, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the Yamuna river was Delhi's lifeline and that it had deep-rooted religious value. The Delhi Government is working on a six-point upgrade plan, he said.
? Upgradation and expansion of STPs and CEDSTPs
? Sewer connectivity up to 100% of households.
? The sewer connection will be extended to 745 colonies and 2700 colonies and the sewer connection will be free.
? Desilting of sewer networks will take place.
? Trapping and diverting drains will be done.
? Pollution causing industrial units will be shifted to conforming areas.
? Trapping of drain will be done.
While announcing new buses for the city, Kailash Gahlot said that these buses will be GPS, CCTV enabled, and have real-time monitoring. There will be one marshal in each bus for the safety of women. These buses will be monitored closely at Kashmere Gate ISBT, he said.
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot announced that by 2025, the city is likely to have 80 per cent e-buses.
? 7,379 buses currently plying in Delhi with 300 Electric buses; By end of 2023, Delhi will have a total of 1900 Electric buses which will help in saving Co2 emissions of 1.07 lacs tonnes annually, he said.
? By 2025, Delhi will have 10,480 buses with 80% of the fleet i.e 8,280 buses being Electric buses which will help in saving Co2 emissions of approx 4.6 lakh tonnes annually
? Gahlot said that for the first time in the history of Delhi, 2180 electric feeder buses (9m size) i.e “Mohalla Buses” will be plying in Delhi to connect remote pockets to the transport system.
? The anticipated expenditure for this massive induction plan of Electric buses over the next 12 years is Rs 28,556 Crores.
In his budget speech, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot announced the electrification of 57 existing bus depots, construction of 9 new bus depots, 3 ISBTs, and 2 multi-level bus depots in Delhi.
A total of Rs 722 crore has been allocated for the construction of flyovers and underpasses, Kailash Gahlot said.
Finance minister Gahlot announces the upgradation of 1,400-km PWD road network, the construction of 26 new flyovers, and underpasses in Delhi. Rs Rs 2,024 crore to be spent on beautification of 1400 km roads, and Rs 19,466 crore for maintenance of roads for ten years.
While presenting the state budget, finance minister Kailash Gahlot said that local bodies will be given financial assistance of Rs 8,241 crore in the financial year 2023-24.
The Delhi Budget 2023-24 will focus on making the streets, roads and buildings of the city beautiful, said Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot. A total of nine programs have been put forth to beautify city.
? Beautification of over 1400 km roads
? 26 new flyovers
? 3 new unique double-decker flyovers
? New 100 electric buses
? Beautification of bus depots
? Elimination of landfill sites and Yamuna cleaning
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that Rs 325 crore was allotted from the centre for the state's share in central taxes for the last 8 years.
As compared to revised estimates, the budget allocated for this year has increased by 8.9 per cent. Delhi's capital expenditures is at 27.8 per cent of the total budget, said finance minister Kailash Gahlot.
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said Wednesday that the entire initiative of upgrading and beautifying Delhi roads was being planned with a 10-year horizon and an anticipated expenditure of Rs 19,466 Crore. For the coming financial year, Rs 2,034 Crore has been proposed for this scheme.
A total of 210 water sprinklers cum anti-smog gun machines, and 18 dump vehicles water tankers are to be used for dust suppression on the streets, Kailash Gahlot said.
An additional 250 water sprinklers cum anti-smog gun machines will be deployed for the entire Delhi, he said.
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot has presented a budget of Rs 78,800 crores for this year.
Here's a list of the major schemes that have been proposed by Delhi's finance minister Kailash Gahlot:
? Upgradation and beautification of 1400 km of the entire PWD road network
? Construction of 26 new flyover/underpass/bridge projects in different parts of Delhi
? Construction of 3 unique double-decker flyovers in collaboration with DMRC at Bhajanpura to Yamuna Vihar, Azadpur to Rani Jhansi intersections, and from Saket to Pul Prahladpur
? Induction of 1600 new zero-emission electric buses, including 100 feeder buses
? Electrification of 57 existing bus depots of Delhi
? Construction of 3 world-class Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs), 2 multi-level bus depots, 2 modern bus terminals, and 9 new bus depots in Delhi
? Construction of 1400 new and modern bus queue shelters in Delhi
? Six-point action plan for a Clean Yamuna
Speaking about the three main landfills in Delhi (Bhalswa, Ghaziapur and Okhla), Kailash Gahlot said that though it falls under the MCD's responsibilities, the government would provide help to clean the sites.
Delhi's Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot has promised 29 new flyovers, currently under construction and 1600 new buses to be included in the city's fleet by the end of 2023.
Ahead of the G-20 summit in India later this year, Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that this year's budget promises a "mega makeover" for Delhi. "In the run-up to the G 20 summit, Delhi Government is going to take up the largest infra projects in the national capital," he said.
? Under the Delhi model, the government has provided free education, health, subsidised electricity, and 100 free services on doorstep delivery.
? Bridge constructed in 2018 has made travelling easy. "I am happy to say that 28 new flyovers and underpasses were constructed in the last 9 years," Gahlot said.
? Government has fulfilled its promise and installed 500 flags across the city, he added.
While presenting the state budget, Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the city saw sharp growth in the last eight years under CM Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.
Delhi's Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said, "Sisodia ji has done a lot in the education sector and pray to god that he presents the budget for the next session".
Speaking while presenting the 2023-24 budget, Kailash Gahlot said, "Manish Sisodia is not like my brother, he is my brother. When Shri Ram went to Vanvas, his brother took his place and managed everything. Likewise, I am presenting the budget this year".
Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot begins to present this year's budget.