Budget for every section of society: CM Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi government allocated a total amount of Rs 2,214 crore in the budget under financial assistance scheme for the senior citizens, persons with disabilities and women in distress. Praising the budget Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pointed out that the budget was for every section of the society. "This budget is for everyone — rich, poor, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and students. We have taken care of everyone," he said.

"The senior citizens, vulnerable social groups like women in distress, specially-abled citizens in our society face several challenges including poverty and lack of income security, health care services etc. To ensure social security and safety of senior citizens and the vulnerable social groups of the society and to enable them to lead a life of dignity, our Government extended financial support at an increased rate and also by reaching out to the needy and targeted people," said Finance Minister Manish Sisodia.

He added that when AAP government came into power in February 2015, at that time only 4.83 lakh beneficiaries were getting financial assistance with an expenditure of Rs 837 crores. Now after four years, we have increased the budget allocation by 2.5 times to Rs 2214 crore covering around 7.60 lakh beneficiaries under financial assistance schemes for senior citizens, persons with special needs and women in distress. The applications for financial assistance for women in distress can now be filled online through the e-District portal.

"I propose a Fixed Deposit Scheme for the differently-abled students at each stage of educational attainment on the pattern of Ladli Scheme from the year 2019-20. Further, a new scheme for financial assistance for the marriage of daughters of the differently-abled parents will be launched from the year 2019-20," said the Finance Minister of Delhi.