The Delhi government revised its budget estimates in the last week of March 2026. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented these changes as part of the Green Budget initiative focused on women empowerment and public welfare. The government decided to increase the funds for power subsidies and free bus travel for women while making sharp cuts in the Information Technology department budget.
Major Increase in Power and Transport Subsidies
The allocation for electricity subsidy has been raised from ₹3,849 crore to ₹4,200 crore. This move helps the government meet the rising demand and clear pending dues. Domestic consumers in Delhi will continue to get free electricity up to 200 units, and those consuming between 201 to 400 units will get a 50 percent subsidy. The budget for free bus travel for women has also seen a significant jump from ₹440 crore to ₹670 crore. This scheme now includes the transgender community and will use the Pink Saheli Card for better transparency.
Massive Budget Cuts for IT and Digital Projects
While welfare schemes received more money, the Information Technology department faced a budget reduction of nearly 69 percent. The revised estimates show a shift in priorities where digital projects took a backseat. Several major initiatives like the Unified Data Hub and various e-governance projects saw their funding slashed drastically.
| Scheme or Department | Initial Budget | Revised Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity Subsidy | ₹3,849 Crore | ₹4,200 Crore |
| Women Free Bus Travel | ₹440 Crore | ₹670 Crore |
| IT Department Total | ₹690.5 Crore | ₹215 Crore |
| Unified Data Hub | ₹250 Crore | ₹6 Crore |
| E-Governance Initiatives | ₹150 Crore | ₹15 Crore |
Impact on Future Digital Initiatives
The IT department budget was reduced from ₹690.5 crore to just ₹215 crore for the current financial year. The Unified Data Hub project budget dropped from ₹250 crore to ₹6 crore, while e-governance initiatives were cut from ₹150 crore to ₹15 crore. Officials stated that the increase in power and transport subsidies is necessary to support the growing number of beneficiaries in the city. The revised budget details were officially published on March 29, 2026.
