NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said the national capital’s development model could serve as a benchmark for other cities and asserted that Delhi would play a key role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Delivering her second Independence Day address at Chhatrasal Stadium after assuming office as chief minister, Gupta said Delhi was poised to take the lead in the country’s development journey.
“Delhi is the national capital; therefore, the decisions taken here give direction to the entire country. The development model created here can become a benchmark for other cities,” she said.Gupta highlighted Centre-Delhi government cooperation and said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 2,600 crore for 61 new projects in the capital.
She described the funding as a reflection of the shared commitment of the Centre and Delhi government towards the city’s development.
The chief minister also welcomed the creation of a separate Capital Development department by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, calling it a “game changer” and a “growth engine” for Delhi.
On healthcare, Gupta said nine lakh beneficiaries had been registered under Ayushman Bharat in Delhi, while three lakh senior citizens above 70 years had been covered under the Vaivandana Yojana.
She said 417 Jan Arogya Mandirs were operational, providing 80 types of tests and free medicines. Five new hospital blocks had also been completed, while 38 government hospitals had been connected through the Hospital Information Management System.
Gupta also highlighted the Anmol Yojana, under which 56 tests would be conducted using a drop of blood from every newborn in Delhi, including children born in private hospitals.
In education, she said work had started on 75 new CM Shri schools and smart boards had been installed in 9,000 classrooms. The government, she added, had also made arrangements for laptops for meritorious students and started providing bicycles to Class IX girls.
On transport and infrastructure, Gupta said Delhi was rapidly emerging as an electric-vehicle city, with more than 4,000 electric buses operating in the capital. She also said work was underway to expand the Metro network.
Environment and pollution, she said, remained key priorities of her government. Gupta said the Delhi budget had been declared a Green Budget, with 21 per cent of the budget, amounting to Rs 22,000 crore, earmarked for green initiatives.
Highlighting women-centric schemes, the chief minister said more than 18 lakh Pink Cards had been issued, enabling women and transgender persons to travel free on Delhi government buses.
Under the Durga Scheme, she said, electric auto permits would be provided to 1,100 women, including 100 transgender persons.
Gupta said around 7.25 lakh women had registered under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, under which eligible women receive Rs 2,500 directly. She also announced the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, under which girls would receive Rs 1 lakh by the time they complete graduation.
Gupta cautions youth against ‘Urban Naxalism’
Addressing schoolchildren and young people, Gupta cautioned them against what she described as “Urban Naxalism” and forces that seek to harm the country’s unity, integrity and dignity.
She urged young people not to restrict their potential to social media platforms and instead channel their energy towards nation-building.
“Use your energy in national building,” Gupta said.
She encouraged the youth to turn their ideas into startups, creativity into innovation, questions into research and sensitivity into public service.
“Do not limit your energy to the screen of social media,” she said, urging young Delhi residents to contribute actively to the country’s development.
