Three-day discussion on Delhi budget in February

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has kicked off the budget-making exercise for this year by calling a three-day discussion from next month.

The government has also asked all heads of departments (HoDs) to furnish the achievements of third quarter of existing 'Outcome Budget 2017-18', a move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in expenditure.

The three-day department-wise discussions on preparation of Outcome Budget 2018-19 will start from February 7, a Delhi government official said.

"Like previous years, the focus of the budget will be on health, education and transport," he added.

"The focus of the discussion will be rationalisation of the existing output and outcome indicators and introduction of new programmes in Outcome Budget 2018-19.

"As per the schedule, discussion on the proposal and expenditure of departments of women and child welfare, SC/ST, social welfare, education, art, culture and languages, labour and Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board will be held on February 7," the official said.

On February 8, the focus will be on health, home, tourism, development and environment departments.

Meanwhile, on February 9, discussion will be held on Public Works Department, Delhi Jal Board, Urban Development, revenue among others.

Last year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had presented the budget focused on "outcomes" and said the Delhi government was the first in the country to adopt such a practice.

The Finance department has also decided to link the budget planning exercise for 2018-19 with outcome budget planning.

All HoDs will now have to submit their projections on outcomes and outputs for the next year along with budgetary estimates for 2018-19.

As a practice, the various government departments submit details related to projects and schemes in December-January to enable the finance department to work on budgetary estimates.

The attempt to link budget planning with outcome budget is meant to ensure better delivery on targets, a source said.

According to the city government, the budget, besides ensuring transparency and accountability of expenditure, will help in assessing performance of officials which is included in their annual confidential report.