Assembly session begins, but Delhi budget delayed by weeks

Delhi's finance minister Atishi informed the assembly on the first day of the budget session on Thursday that the presentation of the annual budget 2024-25 for the Capital will be delayed, and asked for the session to be extended till the first week of March in order to complete all proceedings.

- Alok KN Mishra

The government did not explain the exact reason behind the delay, but said that the budget was passed by the state Delhi cabinet on Sunday, approved by the lieutenant governor (LG) on Wednesday, and has now been sent to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) for approval.

"The budget was passed by the cabinet on February 11, and on February 13, it was sent to LG for his assent. We received the LG's approval on February 14. There has been no delay from the LG's side, it has been delayed on our part. Today the budget will be sent to the MHA for approval," Atishi informed the assembly. The budget was supposed to be presented between February 15 and 21.

"It takes approximately 10-15 days for the budget's final approval and presidential assent. I estimate that the budget will not be presented before February 25," the minister said. She requested the speaker to extend the ongoing session so discussions on the presented budget can be carried out. "I hope that the Delhi budget will be presented either in the last week of February or in the first week of March. After the budget presentation, there will also be some discussion in the House on the budget for a few days, that is why the House should be extended till the first week of March," she said.