Allocation for education highest among all states: Report

Samad Hoque

New Delhi, March 1

The Delhi Economic Survey for the 2023-24 financial year, presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, revealed that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government allocated 21.1 per cent of the aggregate expenditure to education. Finance Minister Atishi highlighted that approximately one-fourth of the budget is dedicated to education. She added, “According to the RBI’s figures, the Delhi Government allocated a higher proportion of its budget to education compared to other state governments in the country.”

Highlights of survey

• Power use rises 37%, number of consumers up 52% over a decade
• Average daily passenger count in DTC, cluster buses yet to reach pre-pandemic levels
• Multiple flyover, foot overbridge projects to be completed by Mar 31
• Forest Dept planted over 82 lakh saplings in 2023
• Delhi Government is providing skill training to more than 1,300 beggars who were identified in a survey conducted before the G20 summit in the Capital last year
• 11 structural medical facilities, including new hospitals, under construction in Delhi

The report also indicated that the capital’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) surpass the national average for GER and NER in India. Specifically, in senior secondary classes for school education, Delhi’s GER for 2021-22 stood at 95.01 per cent, whereas for India, it was 57.05 per cent. Atishi remarked, “This implies not only enrolment but also completion of school education by children. This reflects improvements in Delhi’s government schools.”

The survey reports a substantial increase in total expenditure on education, including sports, arts and culture, from Rs 6,554.82 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 16,574.62 crore in 2023-24.

Furthermore, Atishi highlighted that the economic survey revealed the Kejriwal government’s allocation of 16.17 per cent of its total budget to public health and family welfare.

The survey detailed Delhi’s foundational healthcare infrastructure as of March 31, 2023, comprising 92 hospitals, 39 primary health centres, 1,658 dispensaries, 124 maternity homes and sub-centres, 46 polyclinics, 1,040 nursing homes, 405 specialty clinics and 19 medical colleges.

“Additionally, Delhi’s infant mortality rate stands at 1.2 per cent, compared to India’s 2.8 per cent. As of May 2022, Delhi’s neo-natal mortality rate is 0.9 per cent, compared to India’s 2 per cent, and the mortality rate for children under five years of age is 1.4 per cent, compared to India’s 3.2 per cent,” noted the Finance Minister.

She further mentioned the provision of free electricity by the Kejriwal government to the people of Delhi, revealing that in 2022-23, nearly 3.41 crore electricity bills with zero value were generated for consumers.

Atishi praised the Kejriwal government’s remarkable work in the water supply sector, stating, “We provide free water to people up to 20 kilolitres, benefiting approximately 24.72 lakh consumers.”

Additionally, the minister claimed that in the last nine years, the Kejriwal government has covered nearly 97 per cent of unauthorised colonies with water pipelines.

Atishi said the Delhi Government has taken significant steps to reduce pollution. “In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the Kejriwal government planted more than 70 lakh trees in the Capital. Currently, Delhi boasts a green cover of 23.06 per cent, surpassing that of any other city in the country, and this percentage continues to rise.

“Additionally, based on the AQI, the number of ‘good days’ (days with satisfactory/medium air quality) has increased from 158 in 2018 to 206 in 2023, covering the period from January to December,” she added.