The Delhi Government has initiated the budget making exercise for the fiscal year 2018-19 for which it has called a three day discussion on the matter from the next month. The three-day department wise discussion on preparation of Outcome Budget 2018-19 will start from February 7, informed a Delhi Government official.
Also the Delhi Government has asked all heads of departments to furnish the achievements of third quarter of existing ‘Outcome Budget 2017-18’. This move would possibly ensure transparency and accountability in the Governments expenditure.
Last year, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had presented the Outcome Budget 2017-18 and said the Delhi Government was the first in the country to adopt such a practice.
The official said that the budget this year would focus on health, education and transport just like the previous years. According to the Delhi Government, the outcome budget, besides ensuring transparency and accountability of expenditure, will help in assessing performance of officials which is included in their annual confidential report
"The focus of discussion will be rationalisation of existing output and outcome indicators and introduction of new programmes in Outcome Budget 2018-19" he said.
"As per the schedule, discussion on the proposal and expenditure of departments of women and child welfare, SC/ST, social welfare, education, art, culture and languages, labour and Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board (DSSSB) will be held on February 7," said the official.
On February 8, the focus will be on health, home, tourism, development and environment departments, while on February 9, discussion will be held on Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Urban Development (UD), revenue among others.