Delhi Budget: 26% Of Rs 60,000 Crore Allocated For Education; Highest Allocation 5th Year In A Row

A Rs 60,000 crore annual budget was presented on Tuesday, February 26, by the Aam Aadmi Party government for the financial year 2019-20.

“This budget is dedicated to those martyred so that their children get good education, their parents receive proper healthcare and their family is more secure. This budget is dedicated to making their dreams for their family and country come true,” said Deputy CM and Finance Minister Manish Sisodia, dedicating the budget to the soldiers who were martyred in the deadly Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the Delhi Assembly, the lawmakers gave a standing ovation to the Indian Airforce for being able to successfully carry out the airstrikes in Balakot. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, appreciating the courage of the Indian Airforce pilots.

According to the government, while the previous year’s budget was pegged at Rs 53,000 crore, this year’s budget is “two times more” than that of 2014-15, reported The Indian Express.

Allocation of the budget

26 per cent of the budget was allocated by the Delhi Government for education, this year being the fifth in a row that the education sector was given the highest allocation. “Yes, we are doing politics over education. It is our responsibility to bring education into politics and we want to do it,” Sisodia said while presenting the budget in the Assembly.

Yes, we are doing politics over education. It is our responsibility to bring education into politics and we want to do it: Dy CM @msisodia #DelhiBudget @IndianExpress

— Mallica Joshi (@mallicajoshi) February 26, 2019

Sisodia further made announcements in the field of education, including the starting of a teacher training university, a new Applied Sciences University and an MBA course at Delhi Technological University.

He further said that Delhi has no courses in applied sciences, and students often feel ashamed to study at ITIs. The new Applied Sciences University that the Delhi government will start will provide certificate, diploma and degree up to PhD.

A sum of nine crores has been allocated to provide computer tablets to students who score above 80 per cent in government schools in class X, and also to students in RPVVs and schools of excellence in classes XI and XII.

Schemes that would benefit the differently abled were also announced, including providing financial support to specially-abled females’ parents for their wedding as well as providing specially fitted scooters/motorised cycles to people having locomotor disabilities.

Sisodia also said that funds are being allocated this year again for doorstep ration delivery “but corrupt officers and the LG are not letting the project take off.”

Allocating funds for Door step delivery of ration again this year but corrupt officers and the LG are not letting the project take off:@msisodia @IndianExpress #DelhiBudget

— Mallica Joshi (@mallicajoshi) February 26, 2019

Rs 2,370 crore has been allocated on the issue of supply of water in the city, for the Delhi Jal Board, and for lifeline water scheme, Rs 476 crore has been allocated. Here, 20 kilolitre of water are given for free. By resorting to groundwater replenishment, controlled extraction and by using excess water in the Yamuna during the monsoons, government has set a target to increase production of water by 246 MGD (Millions of Gallons per Day). For the benefit of as many as 13 lakh people, sewer and water lines will be installed in unauthorised colonies.

Further, steps are being taken to control pollution and electric vehicle policy has been introduced.

To conserve the green cover, only 20 per cent of the total trees that need to be removed will be cut off for any infrastructure project, whereas the rest of the 80 per cent will have to be transplanted.
The government’s initiative to provide maximum importance to education and other critical issues is worthy of appreciation.

Also Read: AAP Allocates Maximum Budget For Health & Education, All You Need To Know About Delhi Budget