Delhi Budget 2018: AAP presents Rs. 53,000cr "Green" Budget
What's the story
Today, Delhi's Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government presented its budget. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia proposed a Rs. 53,000cr budget with special emphasis on health, environment, education and water. Terming it a "Green Budget," Sisodia said the government planned to "thread 26 programmes" for a unified system of pollution control to effectively contain this menace. This isn't surprising considering Delhi's increasing air pollution woes. Here's the finer print.
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"Our long-term economic vision is trickle-up economics"
Sisodia expressed satisfaction that Delhi GSDP is continuously increasing. He claimed that their model of "trickle up economics," benefiting poor and middle class was "ushering Delhi towards development." Further, he claimed that 13% of the total budget was being allocated to the three MCDs.
Environment
"Delhi's first Green Budget envisages a 26-point action plan"
Sisodia said the government plans to reduce 20.98L metric tonne CO2 and PM 2.5 by 503 metric tonne in 2018-19. Further, incentives of up to Rs. 1L will be given to industries switching to piped natural gas. Regarding transportation, AAP plans to launch 1,000 electric buses, which still requires the L-G's nod. The government will also procure 1,000 MW solar and green power.
Education
"AAP is committed to making Delhi, India's education capital"
Kejriwal's government claimed that like last year, the highest sectoral allocation (26%) was given to education. Considering the high incidences of crimes in schools, Rs. 175cr has been allotted to install 1.2L CCTVs. Sisodia also allotted Rs. 15cr to Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights for evaluating government schools. Further, to reduce pressure on students, parenting workshops will be launched in government schools.
Health
"Rs. 403cr allotted to developing mohalla clinics"
Sisodia claimed that 12.7% of the total budget was allotted to health-care. He announced mobile van clinics covering ear and eye problems and set aside Rs. 15cr for this purpose. Rs. 100cr was allocated for the city health insurance. He claimed that 164 mohalla clinics have been established and allotted Rs. 403cr for their development. Kejriwal's government also plans to increase the number of beds in the hospitals.
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What else was announced in the Budget?
Sisodia also mentioned Rs. 100 cr has been allocated for the long-awaited free Wi-Fi service. He further said that Delhi government is probably the first state to provide a timeline for various schemes.