NEW DELHI: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) back in power after 26 years, Delhi is set to witness its first Budget under the new government. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the ‘Viksit Delhi’ budget for 2025-26 will be presented between March 24 and 26, with a strong focus on welfare, infrastructure, and economic growth. Calling it a “people’s Budget,” she invited Delhi residents to share their suggestions and has started consultations with various groups, including women’s organisations, traders, and slum dwellers.
Key promises that might be in the list includes:
Financial Support for Women
Women’s welfare is expected to be a major highlight of the budget. The BJP has promised a monthly assistance of ₹2,500 for women from economically weaker backgrounds. Pregnant women will receive a ₹21,000 maternity grant along with six nutritional kits. The budget is also likely to include subsidies on cooking gas, with cylinders available at ₹500 and one free cylinder on Holi and Diwali.
Women’s safety and infrastructure will be strengthened through the construction of 250 ‘pink’ toilets equipped with sanitary vending machines and feeding rooms. The government has also proposed forming a women-only police battalion to improve security in the city. In a move towards workers’ rights, domestic workers will be granted six months of paid maternity leave.
Healthcare
The BJP government plans to extend the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme to Delhi, offering free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh for eligible families. Strengthening public healthcare services is also expected to be a priority, with a focus on expanding medical facilities and ensuring better access to quality treatment.
Farmers & Pollution
The budget is likely to address the concerns of Delhi’s farmers by ensuring 100 per cent registration under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, providing ₹9,000 annually to eligible farmers. Another key promise is the launch of Atal Canteens, where meals will be available for ₹5. On the environmental front, the government has pledged to cut air pollution by 50 per cent by reducing PM-2.5 and PM-10 levels, transitioning 50 per cent of vehicles to electric or hybrid, and making the city’s bus fleet fully electric. To tackle the Yamuna’s pollution, ₹700 crore is expected to be allocated for wastewater treatment and ensuring zero industrial discharge into the river. Cleaning of the three landfill might also be on the list.
Education & Employment
For students, the BJP has proposed a one-time financial assistance of ₹15,000 for competitive exam preparation and free education from kindergarten (KG) to post-graduation (PG) for poor students. The party has also promised to implement the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Delhi.
Scheduled Caste (SC) students will benefit from the Ambedkar Stipend Scheme, receiving ₹1,000 per month. Meritorious Class 12 students will receive free laptops, and there will be a 50 per cent fee concession for professional courses. Additionally, the BJP has pledged to create 50,000 government jobs.
Housing & Infrastructure
A major policy shift is expected in housing, with full ownership rights to be granted to residents of 1,700 unauthorised colonies. Refugee colonies will also be given freehold property status. The BJP has promised an infrastructure overhaul with an ambitious target of attracting $50 billion.
Healthcare and Insurance
Auto and taxi drivers are expected to benefit significantly from the budget. The government has proposed ₹10 lakh life insurance and ₹5 lakh accident insurance for them.
Other Groups
The budget will likely include pension schemes for different sections of society. Senior citizens aged 60-70 are expected to receive ₹2,500 per month, while those above 70 will get ₹3,000. Hindu priests and Gurudwara granthis, who were earlier given ₹18,000 by the AAP government, will now receive ₹20,000 per month.
For small traders, the BJP has promised a ₹3,000 monthly pension and the creation of welfare boards for auto and taxi drivers, washermen, gig workers, and domestic workers. A mechanised dhobi ghat is also on the agenda.
Ministers’ Take on the Budget
CM Rekha Gupta emphasized, “The budget will focus on women's economic empowerment, expansion of healthcare services, strengthening public transport, pollution control, job creation, improving education, providing affordable and nutritious food for the underprivileged, senior citizen welfare and cleaning of the Yamuna."
BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva reiterated the party’s commitment to transforming the capital, stating, “This budget will be for the people of Delhi and will make them proud.”
He criticized the AAP government for “obstructing discussions on Delhi’s development” and accused its leaders of deliberately creating hurdles.