On Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party released its manifesto, promising 15 guarantees, which include significant financial assistance initiatives. There’s Rs 2,100 per month for every woman in Delhi, Rs 18,000 per month for every priest, free medical treatment for senior citizens in both government and private hospitals, and coverage of all expenses for Dalit students studying abroad.
The manifesto also pledges wedding and coaching support for the children of drivers. Importantly, the party has assured that all previous benefits provided to Delhi residents, like free electricity (up to 200 units), free water, and free bus fares for women, will also continue. These allocations consume a significant portion of the national capital’s budget.
India Today’s Data Intelligence Unit examined the state’s budget and spending trends across key sectors and found a major part of Delhi’s expenditure goes to the education, sports, and culture sector, which has grown by 52 per cent from FY2020-21 to FY2024-25. Similarly, the health and family welfare sector has grown by 36 per cent.
Meanwhile, rural development expenditure has surged over 15 times during this period. The transport sector has seen a 12 per cent increase, and irrigation and flood control is the only sector to witness a decline of nine per cent in the same duration.
The budget estimated for Delhi for FY2024-25 was Rs 71,086 crore. Of that, Rs 16,146 crore was given to the education, sports and culture department, which is 22 per cent of the whole budget. The health and family welfare sector got 12.2 per cent or Rs 8,685 crore.
The water and sanitation sector received Rs 3,442 crore, almost five per cent of the total budget, and has surged 82 per cent in the last five years. The energy sector expenditure, estimated at Rs 3,350 crore, was 4.7 per cent of the total budget.
As Delhi heads to the polls on February 5, it remains to be seen how these welfare measures and subsidies will influence voters. Will these initiatives continue to win the “Dil” of Dilli waalahs, or will they fail to make a significant electoral impact?
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