53,000-cr Delhi Budget with major focus on education, clean air

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government presented its fourth budget on Thursday by allocating Rs 53,000 crore for financial year 2018-19. Presenting the budget, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said it follows “trickle up” economics aimed at benefiting the poor and the middle class.

In a bid to curb pollution, the government has introduced a ‘Green Budget’ and shortlisted 26 programmes proposed by four departments — Environment, Transport, Power and Public Works Department (PWD).  

“This is perhaps the first time that such a budgeting exercise has been attempted by any government in the country. Each department submitted a proposal to control pollution and we studied the impact in a scientific manner before making the final commitments,” said Sisodia.  

The government will take up an year-long study in collaboration with Washington University to develop a real-time update module of sources of pollution. Sisodia also proposed a 50% concession in registration charges for CNG factory fitted private cars  

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “The government has taken care of all sections. The ‘Green Budget’ is a first of its kind in the country. Besides education and health, we have stressed on investments in road, sewerage and water.”