NEW DELHI: Terming it the country’s first ‘Swaraj Budget’, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government on Thursday presented its maiden Budget for Delhi,which lays special emphasis on education and health sectors.
Presenting the Rs 41,129 crore Budget, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also handles the Finance portfolio, said the government would focus on reforming the tax collection system and pledged to develop Delhi into a “world-class skill development and educational hub”.
The government has earmarked Rs 19,000 crore for plan outlay and Rs 22,129 crore for non-plan outlay.
The education sector got Rs 9,836 crore, including Rs 4,570 crore under the plan outlay, an increase of 106 per cent compared to the last Budget.
“This (increase) is probably a first in the country and indicates our commitment to the cause of education. For us, it is not expenditure but an investment on the city’s youngsters,” Sisodia said.
The government has allotted Rs 4,787 crore to the health sector, whose planned outlay was pegged at Rs 3,138 crore, a hike of 45 per cent from the last time.
“As many as 10,000 new beds would be provided in hospitals,” he said.
To boost healthcare , the AAP Government is also planning to set up ‘Mohalla Clinics’ across the city.