Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : New Delhi, March 24 — Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented the national capital’s budget, outlining a forward-looking financial roadmap that combines higher capital spending with a strong push toward environmental sustainability. The budget reflects the government’s attempt to balance development needs with ecological responsibility while maintaining a healthy fiscal position.

Gupta highlighted that 70.3 percent of the total budget has been allocated to revenue expenditure, while 29.7 percent has been set aside for capital expenditure. She emphasized that capital spending will see a notable increase compared to the previous year, indicating a stronger focus on infrastructure development and long-term investments aimed at boosting economic growth.

The Chief Minister also presented an optimistic fiscal outlook, stating that the tax-to-GSDP ratio for the 2025–2026 financial year stood at 4.95 percent and is expected to rise to 5.09 percent in 2026–2027. This projected improvement signals better revenue mobilization and economic performance. As a result, Delhi is expected to post a revenue surplus of ₹9,092 crore this year, reflecting fiscal stability and prudent financial management.

The highlight of the budget is its branding as a “Green Budget,” with 21 percent of the total allocation dedicated to environmentally focused initiatives. Gupta stressed that every policy and scheme in the budget has been evaluated through a green perspective, ensuring that environmental impact remains a key consideration in governance.

The Assembly, she said the government has introduced several special initiatives to meet the growing demands of the people while safeguarding natural resources. She described the budget as a historic shift in policy thinking, where development and environmental protection are aligned rather than seen as opposing goals.

Gupta further noted that each decision in the budget has been made keeping future generations in mind, underlining the importance of sustainable urban planning in a rapidly expanding city like Delhi. She emphasized that striking a balance between economic progress and environmental conservation is not just desirable but essential in the current times.

The budget signals a clear intent by the Delhi government to build a resilient, future-ready economy while embracing sustainability as a core principle of governance.