Pankaj Jain
New Delhi, Dec 29 (UNI) As Delhi prepares to step into a new year, the national capital’s political landscape also marks a full circle. For the BJP government, the past year has been one of ‘first moves, early promises and policy signalling’, setting the tone for what it aims to deliver over the next five years.
From easing household expenses to laying out long-term reforms in health, education and infrastructure, the government’s first year has been defined by a mix of relief measures and structural initiatives.
One of the earliest focus areas of the new dispensation was financial relief. A decision to waive penalties and surcharges on old pending water bills up to a fixed cut-off date brought immediate respite to lakhs of households struggling with accumulated dues. The move was widely seen as a reset, allowing families to clear arrears without added burden.
Women-centric welfare also took centre stage with the phased rollout of the ‘Nari Samman Yojana’, under which women aged 18 and above are set to receive Rs 2,500 per month. The scheme, described by the government as both social support and economic empowerment, remains one of the most closely watched initiatives of the year.
Electricity subsidies, a politically sensitive subject in Delhi, were retained and expanded. While free power up to 200 units continues for domestic consumers, the announcement of a subsidy on bills up to 400 units for middle-class households signalled an attempt to broaden the safety net.
Transport workers, especially taxi, auto and e-rickshaw drivers hit hard during the pandemic years, were offered relief through concessions and waivers on fitness and permit-related fees. For low-income families, assistance was extended to eligible Ujjwala beneficiaries with the provision of a free gas stove and the first LPG cylinder.
Beyond headline schemes, smaller but targeted interventions marked the government’s social security push. Chowkidars on night duty in government premises and colonies were assured free heaters during winter months, a move aimed at improving basic working conditions.
Street vendors and hawkers, a visible part of Delhi’s informal economy, were promised simplified licensing and access to micro-loans, enabling them to operate in designated vending zones with greater security.
In health care, the year saw continuity with changes. Mohalla Clinics are being expanded and upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with enhanced facilities and a broader range of services. The announcement to open 100 new Arogya Mandirs across urban and rural areas, along with more free diagnostic tests, underlined the emphasis on accessible primary health care.
Government hospitals are set to introduce free minor surgeries, a step expected to reduce waiting lists and out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
On the education front, the focus has been on quality and infrastructure. The Teacher Mentoring Programme in government schools is being strengthened, while a six-month target has been set to complete internet connectivity and digital classroom facilities.
Students entering government colleges were offered relief through an interest subsidy on higher education loans, aimed at easing the financial pressure on families investing in higher studies.
Housing and civic infrastructure featured prominently in the government’s agenda. The process of regularising identified JJ clusters was accelerated, with an emphasis on providing permanent housing solutions.
To tackle perennial waterlogging, a special budget of Rs 500 crore was allocated for sewer lines and drainage cleaning in vulnerable areas ahead of the monsoon.
The doorstep delivery of services programme was expanded with 10 additional services, including birth certificates and driving licence renewals, reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices.
Cleaning the Yamuna emerged as a flagship environmental commitment, with officials claiming accelerated work to make the river pollution-free.
Pollution control remained a parallel priority. The government announced special incentives for scrapping old petrol and diesel vehicles, targeting one of the major contributors to urban air pollution.
A large-scale plantation drive, with a target of planting over one crore saplings, was launched with mandatory participation from schools and resident welfare associations.
Administrative reforms focused on accountability and delivery. An independent Technical Audit Committee was formed to assess the quality of government schools, hospitals and roads built over the past five years.
To speed up development at the constituency level, the MLA Local Area Development Fund was increased by 25 percent.
Timelines under the Right to Services Guarantee Act were tightened for more than 50 government services, with stricter accountability proposed in cases of delay, signalling a push for time-bound governance.
For sportspersons, the year brought higher cash incentives for medals at national and international events, along with fresh allocations to modernise major stadiums to international standards.
In the unorganised sector, construction workers were brought under a simplified, fully online registration system, while workers across the informal economy were offered a Rs. 2 lakh insurance cover in cases of accident or accidental death.
Taken together, the BJP government’s first year in Delhi has been less about dramatic overhauls and more about setting direction, retaining popular welfare measures, expanding social security and laying the groundwork for infrastructure and administrative reforms.
As the new year begins, the real test will be in execution, timelines and outcomes, with expectations firmly set and public scrutiny only set to grow.
