Delhi’s GDP has grown by 50 per cent since 2016-17, indicating that the city’s economy is in a strong position, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal said on Wednesday. In his speech to the Delhi Legislative Assembly, which was initially blocked by BJP legislators who demanded that the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ be tax-free, LG said that the economy of Delhi was adversely affected in 2020-21 due to Kovid-19.
“In 2021-22, the gross domestic product of Delhi (calculated) at current prices was Rs 9,23,967 crore and in the last five years, it has increased by 50 per cent as compared to Rs 6,16,085 crore in 2016-17.” It shows the strength of Delhi’s economy. “
In his address to the House, LG noted the achievements of the Delhi government in various fields including power, education, pollution remediation, in-situ slum development and green energy. He further said that Delhi has the cheapest electricity rates in the country and 91.4 per cent households have benefited from electricity subsidy in 2020-21. Regarding the Delhi government’s achievements in the field of education, Baijal said that the pass percentage in classes 10 and 12 has steadily increased.
The pass rate in 10th and 12th classes was 97.52 percent and 99.84 percent respectively. He further said that Delhi Teachers University Bill, 2022, was also passed to provide professional training to teachers by establishing a dedicated university. In his speech, Baijal said that the Public Works Department of the Delhi government is constructing 784 multi-storey flats in Devnagar area for slum dwellers under its in-situ rehabilitation policy. The Delhi government was supplying 945 million gallons of water daily across the city with a pipeline network of 15,000 km. “Water is also being supplied to 1,57 unauthorized colonies. Where there is no water pipeline, the government is supplying water by tanker,” Baijal said.
In its speech, LG said the Delhi government has decided to set up a school with boarding and other modern facilities to provide structured education to disadvantaged and homeless children. He said 90 per cent of the population over the age of 18 has been vaccinated and vaccination for 15-18 year olds is also moving very fast.
LG added that in order to streamline healthcare facilities, the government has decided to implement a health information management system. “Under this system, all citizens will be provided with a QR code-based e-health card. This will help in identifying patients and tracking demographic and basic details through geo-tagging,” Baijal said.
In his speech, LG said that the innovative interceptor sewer project for cleaning the river Jamuna is almost complete. Further, construction of STP at Coronation Pillar at Kondli and Rithala is underway under Jamuna Action Plan-III, he said.
LG said the government was trying to add renewable energy components to Delhi’s total energy mix. “Delhi Solar Policy, 2016, has been notified. The total solar power available through the Rooftop SPV plant in Delhi is 221.46 MW. To date, about 136 MW capacity solar plants have already been installed in 1,160 government buildings.” He added that work was underway to install CCTV cameras across Delhi, and work was underway to provide free WiFi at bus stops and parks.
“Construction work on the elevated road of Barapulla Phase-III from Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Bihar is underway. Work on a pedestrian subway near Gandhi Bihar on the Underpass and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad and Jagatpur is nearing completion,” Baijal added.
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