Delhi’s ‘Green’ Budget passed unanimously on final day of Assembly Session

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delhi’s Budget for 2026–27 was unanimously passed in the Assembly on Friday, the final day of the session. During the discussion, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta sharply criticised the previous government’s financial record, saying it had left behind a massive debt burden that the present administration is now working to manage.

Outlining her government’s priorities, Gupta said Delhi is entering a new phase-one driven by outcomes rather than excuses. “This is a new government with a new way of working. The focus will be on delivery,” she said. She assured the House that unfinished projects would be completed, public money would be properly accounted for, and every citizen would receive their due. The Chief Minister added that her government would move away from confrontation and instead prioritise performance. “Delhi will no longer remain stuck. It will move forward rapidly and set an example for the country,” she said.

A Budget Focused on Development and Accountability

Gupta described the budget as the largest ever in terms of capital expenditure, emphasising that it is not limited to welfare schemes but aims to deliver real, on-ground development. She noted that capital spending had been prioritised last year as well, and has now been further increased to bring about a tangible shift in governance.

Opposition Targeted Over Conduct

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Chief Minister said they failed to respect the dignity of the House. “They were given a full opportunity to speak inside the Assembly but chose to sit on the streets instead,” she remarked. According to her, the Opposition raised irrelevant and misleading issues due to a lack of substantive arguments, with even individuals without the right to speak participating in the discourse.

On Borrowings: ‘Loans Are Not New’

Addressing the debate around government borrowing, Gupta said taking loans is not new and has been a consistent practice since 1999. She pointed out that earlier governments had also borrowed heavily, often at higher interest rates. “In contrast, our government has maintained fiscal discipline,” she said, adding that Delhi has borrowed only 1.17% against the permitted 3% of GSDP, and that too at one of the lowest interest rates in the country– 7.4%.

Debt Burden and Incomplete Projects

The Chief Minister said the previous government left behind debt exceeding ₹47,000 crore, with ₹27,547 crore still outstanding. In addition, several key infrastructure projects were left incomplete, creating significant financial liabilities. She cited pending dues of ₹3,700 crore in expressway projects, ₹9,087 crore in metro works, over ₹2,000 crore in hospital construction, and ₹1,031 crore in integrated DMRC-PWD projects. Several schools and hospitals, she said, remained unfinished, with costs escalating over time.

Clearing Dues, Exposing Irregularities

Gupta said her government has begun clearing long-pending dues, including payments related to sportspersons, EWS welfare, scholarships, awards and the Kishori scheme. Tuition fees worth ₹114 crore for SC, ST and OBC students and ₹538 crore for Delhi government colleges have also been paid. She also flagged irregularities in PWD projects, claiming that in one instance, ₹250 crore was paid without any work being completed—raising serious questions about the previous administration’s functioning.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

The Chief Minister said the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is running losses of ₹99,000 crore, while the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is in the red to the tune of ₹91,000 crore. She described the water utility’s billing system as dysfunctional, leading to inflated bills for residents. According to her, the previous government’s tenure was marked by corruption, administrative disorder and a lack of accountability, with new irregularities continuing to surface.

‘From Excuses to Results’

Drawing a clear distinction, Gupta said the current government is committed to changing the system. “Every rupee will be accounted for, and every pending project will be completed. Delhi will now run on results, not excuses,” she said. To ensure this, the government has launched the CM Pragati Portal to track projects, enforce timelines and strengthen accountability.

Push for Education and Healthcare

The Chief Minister said the government is investing heavily in education to ensure timely supply of books and uniforms, along with better infrastructure such as smart classrooms and modern labs. She also raised concerns over declining student enrolment, questioning why children were dropping out. In the health sector, she said 4,478 posts have been approved and 1,194 nursing and paramedical staff have been recruited to strengthen services.

Infrastructure, Environment and Reforms

Highlighting key initiatives, Gupta said a ₹5,000 crore elevated road is being developed along the Munak canal to ease traffic congestion. The government is also pushing metro expansion, EV transition, charging infrastructure and large-scale road carpeting.

For the first time, 4,200 hectares of ridge area have been declared forest land, with a target of planting 3.5 million trees over four years. Administrative reforms include simplifying licensing processes, digitising fire NOCs and allowing electricity connections in over 1.5 lakh properties.

Welfare Measures with Transparency

The Chief Minister said subsidised meals at ₹5 are being provided to the poor and working class. Reforms in the ration card system aim to eliminate duplication and include eligible beneficiaries. She added that ₹853 has been transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT, ensuring transparency and efficiency in delivery. Despite global challenges, Gupta said the Delhi government is working in coordination with the Centre to manage issues such as LPG supply effectively.

‘Not Politics, But Performance’

Concluding her address, the Chief Minister said Delhi had been held back in the past but is now moving forward with a renewed governance approach. From this point on, Delhi will witness transformation rather than confrontation—performance, not politics. Speaking on his government's resolve, the Chief Minister remarked, “Some people adapt to the times, some people change with the times, while others change the very mold of the times.”