Five-day Budget session of Delhi Assembly begins today
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New Delhi: The five-day Budget session of the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi will commence on Monday at 11 a.m. with a traditional kheer ceremony, officials confirmed.
On the first day, the House is expected to witness the tabling of a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for 2024. However, there is no confirmation regarding the presentation of the Economic Survey on the same day.
The government has also invited representatives from various communities, including farmers and traders, whose suggestions were sought for inclusion in the Budget. According to the schedule, the session will begin with Question Hour, followed by Special Mention (Rule-280), allowing MLAs to raise constituency-related and general public issues with the Chair’s permission.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the BJP government’s first Budget, expected to be titled "Viksit Delhi." The Delhi Budget 2025-26 is anticipated to focus on infrastructure development, Yamuna cleaning, air pollution control, and key sectors such as health and education. Additionally, financial provisions for the BJP’s pre-election promise of a ₹2,500 monthly allowance for women are expected to be included.
Following the Budget presentation, a general discussion will take place on Wednesday, March 26, to assess financial allocations and policy decisions. The Assembly will deliberate and vote on the proposed Budget on Thursday, March 27, Speaker Vijender Gupta announced. The session is scheduled to run until March 28, with the possibility of an extension if necessary.
Each day of the session will include a Question Hour, and on the final day, MLAs will be permitted to introduce and debate governance and public welfare proposals. Speaker Gupta emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum for the smooth functioning of the session.
BJP leaders highlighted that the Budget 2025-26 was drafted based on public feedback, with 3,303 suggestions received via email and 6,982 through WhatsApp. CM Gupta stated that the Budget prioritizes water and electricity needs, women's empowerment, solutions for waterlogging, Yamuna cleaning, air pollution, education, health, employment, and infrastructure. She added that it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a "Viksit Delhi."
Apart from the Budget, the Assembly will also discuss a CAG report on DTC titled *Functioning of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)*. In the previous month, two other CAG reports on health infrastructure and excise policies were tabled. The BJP had promised to present 14 pending reports, some dating back to 2017-18, as part of its electoral commitments.
The party has repeatedly accused the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of withholding these reports, alleging that the delay was an attempt to conceal "irregularities committed under its rule in different departments of the Delhi government."
The last Delhi Budget, presented by the AAP government in March 2024, had an allocation of ₹76,000 crore and was themed *Ram Rajya*, with then-Finance Minister Atishi leading the presentation.
With IANS inputs