Delhi’s budget session for 2025 began on Monday with a ‘Kheer’ ceremony, marking the start of the proceedings. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the budget in the Delhi Assembly today, marking the first budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government after 27 years in power in the city. The budget includes several major announcements, including the launch of the “Mahila Samriddhi Yojana,” with a dedicated allocation of funds. The total budget presented by CM Gupta stands at ₹1 lakh crore, aimed at addressing a range of issues affecting the people of Delhi.
During her speech, CM Gupta announced an allocation of ₹500 crore for cleaning the Yamuna River. “Yamuna is not just a river for us; it is part of our cultural heritage. Our government will take decisive steps to clean it,” she said. To improve the city’s infrastructure, she outlined plans for the development of new water pipelines and the expansion of sewer lines, with a budget allocation of ₹9,000 crore for improving water supply and sanitation.
CM Gupta introduced the ‘Global Investment Summit,’ which will be held every two years, as a new initiative to boost the city’s economy. “We aim to make Delhi a hub for global investments,” she added. Another key initiative was the proposal to provide free laptops to 1,200 students who have passed the 10th grade, with ₹750 crore allocated for the same.
In health services, the budget also includes ₹320 crore for the “Ayushman Arogya Mandir,” aimed at improving alternative healthcare services, particularly in the field of Ayurveda.
CM Gupta announced the replacement of the ‘pink ticket’ with a ‘card’ that will allow women to travel for free on buses in Delhi. “This is part of our effort to curb corruption and ensure the safety of women,” she said. The government also plans to combat the water tanker scam by installing GPS systems in all water tankers.
The CM took a moment to criticize the previous government, especially the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying, “We fulfill our promises, unlike the AAP, which only made empty promises.” She added that the BJP government would focus on infrastructure development, with ₹28,000 crore earmarked for capital expenditure in the coming year.
The budget also includes provisions for women’s welfare, with ₹5,100 crore allocated for the ‘Mahila Samriddhi Yojana,’ which will provide financial support to women in Delhi. “Our government is committed to the empowerment of women,” CM Gupta said.
