Delhi Budget: Funds up for women-specific schemes; bus rides in focus
The government has increased its allocation of funds on women-specific schemes to ₹5,740 crore, which will focus on providing free bus tickets to women in government buses and setting up of 100 Mahila Mohalla clinics by year-end.
The government has increased its allocation of funds on women-specific schemes to ₹5,740 crore, which will focus on providing free bus tickets to women in government buses and setting up of 100 Mahila Mohalla clinics by year-end, among other things, finance minister Kailash Gahlot said while presenting Budget 2023-24.
Last year, ₹5,611 crores was allocated for women-specific schemes.
On Wednesday, Gahlot said that the government also plans to set up a bus depot which will be operated solely by women.
“I feel extremely proud to say that as of today, we have 34 women drivers plying 12 meter-long DTC buses in Delhi. This is one of the highest women participation as far as bus drivers are concerned in any transport corporation in the country. We... aspire to have one bus depot which is operated completely by women. I am sure we will achieve it soon.” Gahlot said in his speech.
Creation of Mahila Mohalla clinics, which was announced in last year’s Budget, will provide specialised services including cervical cancer screening and immunisation services for children under 12 years of age, with its expansion being another important push for Delhi’s women.
“We have four operational clinics and in the first four months, more than 42,000 patients have come to Mahila Mohalla clinics. In the next year, we plan to open 100 such clinics across the city,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“We have four operational clinics and in the first four months, more than 42,000 patients have come to Mahila Mohalla clinics. In the next year, we plan to open 100 such clinics across the city,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}The minister added that since the launch of the free bus travel scheme for women in 2019, around 100 crore trips had been undertaken by women commuters.
{{/usCountry}}The minister added that since the launch of the free bus travel scheme for women in 2019, around 100 crore trips had been undertaken by women commuters.
{{/usCountry}}“Along with providing safety, security and comfort, I am sure that this scheme has also increased the participation of women in the workforce and opened up new gateways of education for many of them. We will continue this facility in the financial year 2023-24 to promote women empowerment in Delhi,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“Along with providing safety, security and comfort, I am sure that this scheme has also increased the participation of women in the workforce and opened up new gateways of education for many of them. We will continue this facility in the financial year 2023-24 to promote women empowerment in Delhi,” he said.
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