As the Finance Minister of Delhi, Sisodia has been responsible for managing the state’s finances. He ensured that the government’s budget was spent effectively and efficiently. Now the challenge before the government is to do this. Read the analysis of Kavita Pant.
In a significant development, the arrested ministers of the Delhi government Manish Sisodia And Satyendar Jain resigned from the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet on Tuesday. This has happened at a time when the BJP is facing allegations of corruption against its leaders. You The party continues to be targeted. According to officials, Delhi Revenue minister Kailash Gehlot has been given additional responsibilities of finance and power departments, while social welfare minister Raj Kumar Anand will be in charge of education and health departments.
Sisodia, who was a journalist and activist, was in charge of 18 important departments in the Delhi government before his arrest by the CBI. After the 2020 assembly elections, he was overseeing AAP’s entire functioning in the state, as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal opted not to hold any ministry and instead focused on the party’s nationwide expansion. There is a possibility of a negative impact on the implementation of many programs and policies of the AAP government.
1- Shock to the government’s action plans
The various portfolios handled by Sisodia so far will be a setback as as a minister he used to play a key role in planning and implementing programs and guide the department officials. Sisodia’s contribution to Delhi’s education policy Received international recognition and is considered “India’s Best Education Minister” by AAP members. He introduced systems like modernization of government schools, teacher training programs abroad and integration of education.
He also organized training sessions for teachers and even built new infrastructure in government schools. Under his leadership, the Delhi government launched initiatives such as the Happiness Curriculum, the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum and the Early Childhood Care and Education Policy.
2- Impact on the budget
He also steadily increased the budget allocation for education in Delhi, and in the 2021–22 budget, the Delhi government allocated 24 percent of its budget to education, the highest among all states in India. The Delhi government’s budget is yet to be presented and after Sisodia’s departure, the education department will be affected in terms of infrastructure and implementation of various education programmes.
As the Finance Minister of Delhi, Sisodia has been responsible for managing the state’s finances. He ensured that the government’s budget was spent effectively and efficiently. He introduced several important policies aimed at improving the financial management of the state and promoting transparency and accountability in government expenditure. He has been presenting the state budget since 2014. The finance department is still in the process of finalizing the budgetary allocation for the 2023 Delhi budget and the plan was to present the budget around the second week of March.
3- Slow progress of civil works
Sisodia was also looking after the Public Works Department, which maintains several important roads in the national capital. With Delhi gearing up to host the G-20 summit, the department is currently undertaking renovation and beautification projects. However, after Sisodia’s departure, the progress of civil works is likely to slow down. Several projects are under construction and any delay can jeopardize the preparations for this prestigious international event.
4- Allegations of corruption
The central leadership of AAP has expressed confidence in Kailash Gehlot by handing over the finance ministry to him. However, it will not be easy for Kejriwal’s close aide and two-time cabinet minister Gehlot. Because he has many pending cases including allegations of corruption in the purchase of DTC buses. The BJP has accused Gehlot of irregularities in the purchase and maintenance of 1,000 buses as Transport Minister.
5- Lack of experience
Rajkumar Anand, who has been given the education and health portfolios, does not have the experience of handling large portfolios. Significantly, in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, he and his wife had left AAP due to differences over ticket distribution. He rejoined the party in 2019 and was elected MLA from Patel Nagar in 2020.
Apart from this, the Kejriwal government is facing additional challenges. Gopal Rai’s health as a cabinet minister is not good. Due to which their work is getting affected. Rai had undergone spinal surgery recently.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author. The views and facts given in this article do not represent the stand of Tv9.)
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