Can 9,836 crore change the face of Delhi's Education Sector?

The Aam Aadmi Party government on Thursday presented its first Delhi budget of Rs 41,129 crore whose main focus was on Education, transport and health sector. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said," Na rehber se milega, na reh guzar se milega, yeh toh hamaare paaon ka kaanta hai, yeh hamin se niklega" while presenting the budget.

The government allocated Rs 9,836 crore for education sector out of which Rs 4,570 was given under the plan outlay with an increase of around 106 percent over the last education budget. Under this budget the government announced that 50 government schools will be converted into modern schools with new infrastructure which will later be stretched to 1,011 schools in the next fiscal year. New 236 schools will be set up and 20,000 regular teachers will be brought in. CCTV cameras will be installed in all classes.

Manish Sisodia further said," Delhi's education was our government's top priority and we aim at 100 percent literacy rate in next two years. Currently the proposal to allocate more funds to this sector is not to spend this amount. It is an investment for the happiness and prosperity of the future generation."

83 school buildings are under construction from which 166 schools can be started in the same premises. Two shifts will also be started in 70 schools which are currently working in single shifts. The government has also proposed to amend the Delhi School Education Act & Rules, 1973 to bring transparency in the determination of fees in private schools.

50 crore was allocated for free WiFi in all colleges and villages. Loans up to Rs 10 lakh would be given to those interested in higher education. Girls will get the loan at 1 percent lesser interest rate and Rs 310 crore is also allocated for skill development and professional education.

On this, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "The budget was for the poor and the middle class. This budget trusts the people of this country. The more you invest in the people, the more their future will shine. We want to ensure quality education for the poor and the modern infrastructure in schools".

Calling it the nation's first 'Swaraj Budget', the government has decided to lower the VAT rates of certain items in the nation.