No Work, Only Politics: AAP's Rs 75,800 Crore Rozgar Budget Remains A Non-Starter

The Delhi government has recently released the Outcome Budget for 2022-23, which provides a detailed list of budget allocations linked to specific outcomes and results.

However, according to this budget document, most of the initiatives announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in its "Rozgar Budget" have yet to be implemented or have made little progress.

The Rozgar Budget was presented in May 2022 by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hailed the Rs 75,800 crore budget that came with a promise of generating 20 lakh jobs in five years.

However, the latest document highlighting the progress made on the proclamation points to a snail-paced government machinery, unbothered by meeting the targets it had set for the national capital.

Below is the status of 10 big announcements made during the Rozgar budget:

1. The Delhi Shopping Festival was one of the major initiatives announced in the budget with an outlay of Rs 250 crores.

CM Kejriwal even asked people outside Delhi to book their tickets between to 28 January and 26 February to attend “India’s biggest shopping festival”. Even advertisments in the newspapers were issued by the Delhi government.

• Status: As per the Outcome document, the dates are now being reviewed and there is no indication of when the festival would be held.

2. The Cloud Kitchen Cluster scheme (Rs 25 crore budget allocation) was meant to encourage the development of cloud kitchens in Delhi by creating an enabling environment and simplifying regulations, including providing infrastructure support.

• Status: The scheme is currently under process and inputs from different departments are being gathered to prepare the policy.

3. The Food Truck Policy was announced to promote e night-time economy in Delhi, expand business opportunities for restaurants and cafes, and create employment opportunities.

• Status: The draft policy is still under review.

4. The Aam Aadmi Canteen was aimed at providing healthy, hygienic, and affordable meals to the general public at various locations throughout Delhi.

• Status: Yet to receive Cabinet approval.

5. The Smart Urban Farming Initiative aims to educate citizens about urban farming through awareness workshops, training, and exhibitions. A memorandum of understanding or contract is expected to be signed in October 2022.

6. The Promotion and Development of Dilli Electronic City scheme, with Rs 10 crore budget allocation, promised to meet the high demand for electronics in Delhi and the country by supporting and establishing a local, robust ecosystem with employment opportunities.

• Status: A cabinet note for the engagement of the School of Planning has been prepared and is under examination. The notification process for the land at Baprola is also underway, and the CBRE report is being reviewed.

7. Under the Beautification of Entry Points scheme, appearance of six entry points into Delhi is to be improved by creating entry gates and beautifying the areas.

The entry points in question are Tikri Kalan, Mayur Vihar, Kapasehra Border, Apsara Border, Anand Vihar, and DND Border.

• Status: The project has not yet begun, and only three entry points are being considered in Phase I: Tikri Kalan, Kapashera, and Apsra Border.

8. Redevelopment of Dill Food Hub at Chandni Chowk and Majnu ka Teela budgeted at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

• Status: Awaiting Cabinet approval

9. For promotion of Start ups (with an outlay of Rs 50 crore), the budget had proposed setting up of Start up Task Force.

• Status: The Council of Ministers approved the start-up policy for Delhi during their meeting on 10 May 2022. The policy is currently being modified for approval by the Cabinet.

10. Dilli Bazar, for which Rs 20 crore was allocated was meant to provide a virtual marketplace for local sellers.

• Status: According to the outcome budget report for the period of April to September, the request for proposal (RFQ) for the scheme has been received and is currently under review.

The track record of the AAP government in terms of fulfilling its promises has been poor. For example, the promises of introducing the Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi, cleaning the Yamuna River, or making Delhi a world-class city are yet to be realised.

The above mentioned announcement adds to the already extensive list of unfulfilled promises made by a government that is more concerned with elections in other states than with effectively governing and providing for the people of Delhi.