Delhi’s 2023-24 budget outlay expected to reach nearly Rs 80,000 crore

Delhi officials have announced that due to a rise in tax revenue, the government’s budget outlay for the upcoming fiscal year is likely to be around Rs 80,000 crore.

“The tax collection of the government in the current and the next financial year is expected to remain as per estimates,” said the officials. Last year, the government’s annual budget was Rs 75,800 crore, while the previous year’s was Rs 69,000 crore.

“The budget preparation is exciting but a very time-consuming exercise. Days are filled with endless cups of coffee and non-stop meetings with officers,” said Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot, who will present his first budget in the assembly.

He took over the department after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia resigned following his arrest by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case.

The Delhi assembly’s budget session will begin on March 17, with Lt Governor V K Saxena addressing the House. The budget will be presented on March 21 and preceded by an Outcome Budget of the government.

Officials said that the budget is expected to allocate a significant amount for infrastructure development, particularly in the area of roads, as well as for health and education. “Apart from health and education, the budget may have a significant outlay for infrastructure development, particularly roads, in the city,” said the officials. (with inputs from PTI)