KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF DELHI BUDGET 2016-17

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF DELHI BUDGET 2016-17

The Aam Aadmi Party (“AAP”) presented a “Zero Tax” budget for 2016-17 to the Delhi Assembly on 28 March, 2016.

Deputy Chief Minister of delhi Mr. Manish Sisodia has presented the annual budget for 2016-17 amounting to rupees Rs. 46,600 crore, pegging plan outlay at Rs. 20,600 crore and a non-planned outlay of Rs. 26,000 crore.

Here are some of the point wise key statements made by Mr. Sisodia in his budget speech.

SCHOOL EDUCATION:-

Rs. 102 crore has been set aside for recruitment of new teachers and for training existing teachers in Delhi.

All government school classrooms will be enabled with CCTV cameras. Government has allocated Rs. 100 for the purpose.

Providing adequate sports facilities is an important part of school education. Rs. 48 crore has been allocated for the improvement of sports facilities in government schools.

HIGHER EDUCATION:-

Government plans to establish 100 smart career colleges for skills development and training. The government plans a budgetary allocation of about Rs. 152 crores for vocational training.

A total of Rs. 10,690 crore has been allocated for education sector; this constitutes about 23 percent of the total budget.

HEALTHCARE:-

Healthcare is another focus area of the Delhi Government. About 1000 new Mohalla clinics, 100 polyclinics, and 10,000 beds (in government hospitals) will be added this financial year.

Rs. 5259 crore has been allocated for health care (including Rs. 3200 crore planned budget); this constitutes about 16 per cent of the total budgetary outlay.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM:-

Subsidy on e-rickshaws in Delhi has been increased from Rs. 15000 crore to Rs. 30000 crore.

1000 new non-AC buses will be introduced this FY.

Rs. 325 crore has been allocated for improvement of bus services in Delhi.

Two new elevated BRT corridors (from Anand Vihar to Peeragarhi and from Wazirabad to Airport) are to be constructed this year. 11 existing roads will be redesigned with safety mechanisms for cyclists. Rs. 2208 crore has been allocated for this purpose.

Government has allocated Rs. 763 crore for the maintenance of Delhi metro.

TACKLING POLLUTION:-

Vacuum cleaners will be used to clean road and curb pollution. Rs. 100 crore has been allocated to make Delhi roads cleaner and greener.

WOMEN’S SAFETY:-

Rs. 114 crores has been allocated to light up about 42,000 dark areas in Delhi for the Safety and security purposes.

Rs. 200 crore shall be allocated to Mohalla Rakshak Dal in all constituencies for safety of the women.

A further Rs. 200 crore will be allocated for setting up CCTVs across the city. A working women’s hostel will be set up in Dwarka.

INFRASTRUCTURE:-

Late payment fines on disputed water bills have been waived and people have been given incentives to install new meters. Rs. 178 crore has been collected due to such installations.

Rs. 2466 crore has been set aside for development of the city’s infrastructure.

Roads and drains will be constructed by the DSIIDC in unauthorised colonies. Rs. 300 crore has been set aside for this purpose. This will include rehabilitation of slums in Delhi.

Rs. 350 crores has been allocated for Swaraj implementation to Mohalla sabhas.

Wi-Fi projects in buses, Burari, and some NDMC areas have been launched. More efficient systems will be introduced.

DELHI TOURISM:-

The tourism sector will receive Rs. 10 crore to boost tourism in Delhi.

The tourism board will hold a Delhi festival that will showcase the city’s rich culture, food, and films. Rs. 30 crore has been allocated to build Brand Delhi.

REDUCTION OF VAT:-

To keep VAT at par with neighbouring states, the Deputy CM announced a reduction of VAT on footwear, school bags, battery, operated vehicles, sweets and snacks, ready-made garments, and marble from 12.5 percent to 5 percent. Watches will be taxed at 12.5 percent, though.

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