NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented the state budget for 2025-26 fiscal, announcing several initiatives aimed at transforming the national capital.
With a total allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore, CM Gupta called the budget “historic,” emphasising its role in transitioning Delhi from a struggling economy to a “Viksit Delhi.”
The chief minister laid out an ambitious plan that includes Rs 5,100 crores for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, aimed at empowering women across the city.
In her address, CM Gupta also highlighted that the Delhi government would allocate Rs 750 crore to provide free laptops to 1,200 students passing Class X, fulfilling a key promise in her vision for enhancing education. She further announced the establishment of new “CM Shri schools,” with an investment of Rs 100 crore.
In a major boost to the city’s infrastructure, the dudget allocated Rs 3843 crore for road and bridge development. Rs 696 crore has been earmarked for upgrading slums and JJ colonies, ensuring the welfare of Delhi’s underprivileged population. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for cleaning the Yamuna River, including a decentralised approach involving the installation of 40 new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
Addressing health and wellness, CM Gupta unveiled plans to set up new health and wellness centers while extending the ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ scheme. A provision of Rs 6,874 crore has been made for the health sector. The government will also provide a top-up of Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Yojana to benefit Delhi residents, in addition to the Rs 5 lakh from the Central Government.
In her Budget speech, CM Gupta sharply criticized the previous AAP government, accusing them of mismanagement, especially in areas such as water supply, pollution control, and public transport. She claimed that the previous administration’s revenue was siphoned off by the liquor mafia and PWD contractors, leading to significant financial losses for the city.
The Budget also focuses on enhancing women’s safety with the installation of over 50,000 cameras across the city, a measure aimed at ensuring better security for women in public spaces.
The CM’s presentation of the FY26 Budget comes just after the BJP returned to power in Delhi after 27 years. She said that her government was committed to reversing the damage caused by previous administrations, focusing on accountability, transparency, and development for the people of Delhi.
Ahead of the Budget presentation, CM Gupta, accompanied by her cabinet colleagues, visited the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place to offer prayers for the success of the budget and the prosperity of Delhi.
The Delhi CM expressed optimism about the future of the capital, stating, “Delhi will progress, and Ram Rajya will be established under the guidance of Bajrang Bali.”
(With agency inputs)