Delhi’s 'deshbhakti' budget: Free vaccine, Sainik School and dreams of hosting Olympics

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 9

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a budget of Rs 69,000 crore for the financial year 2021-2020.

Sisodia, who was presenting his seventh budget, started the proceedings by calling it a ‘Desh Bhakti’ budget to commemorate the 75th Independence Day. He further said that Tuesday’s budget allocation will lay the foundation stone for the state in terms of infrastructure and facilities in the year 2047 when the estimated population of the national capital would be over 3 crores.

Sisodia announced that the state government would be holding a series of functions, starting from March 12, for 75 weeks, including programmes to commemorate the lives of freedom fighters like Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr B R Ambedkar, who is considered as the key architect of Indian Constitution. Besides, he said that the state government would unfurl the National Flag in over 500 locations to observe the day.

Importantly, much of the focus of the Government was on health and education as both the sectors saw a big outlay in budget provisions. A total of Rs 16,377 crore has been allocated for the education sector, while health was allocated Rs 9,934 crore.

Sisodia announced that the government would provide free COVID-19 vaccine for Delhi citizens in its state-operated hospitals and a provision of Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for the scheme. He also announced that 100 Mahila Mohalla Clinics would be established soon to cater to women of the state.

Sisodia further informed that the government would open 100 Schools of Excellence, a dedicated university for the Teachers and open a virtual school for Delhi and outside students, who would want to join the Delhi Education set up.

He also declared that Delhi would soon have its first Sainik School and an Armed Forces Preparatory Academy, to aid those who want to join the armed forces in the country.

Sisodia announced that the Delhi government wants to host the Summer Olympics in 2048. “Delhi hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and in 1982. Then we had the Commonwealth Games in 2010. We have a dream that when the country celebrates its 100th year of Independence, that the city plays host to the Olympics,” Sisodia said.

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