Delhi Budget 2026 to Be Shaped by Public Participation, Says CM Rekha Gupta

Students, working women, teachers and sportspersons share key suggestions

Public participation is the biggest strength of a developed Delhi: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, 18 March 2026 : In an effort to make Delhi’s Budget 2026 more people-centric and practical, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta on Wednesday hosted a special ‘Samvad’ (dialogue) programme at the Delhi Secretariat. The interaction brought together working women, teachers, sportspersons and students, who shared their experiences, expectations and suggestions directly with the Chief Minister.

Gupta listened to each participant carefully, personally noted their inputs, and assured them that their suggestions would be reflected in the upcoming budget. She emphasized that public participation is the strongest pillar of a ‘Viksit Delhi’ (Developed Delhi), and the government aims to ensure that the budget addresses the needs of every section of society.

Students Push for Stronger Education and Future Opportunities

Cabinet Minister Shri Ashish Sood was also present on the occasion. During the interaction, students put forward several important suggestions to strengthen the education system and improve future opportunities.

They proposed extending the Mid-Day Meal scheme up to Class 12 to ensure continued nutritional support. Students also called for structured sports training in schools, better academic and sports infrastructure, and increased industry exposure so they can better understand real-world work environments.

Focus on Hostels and Career Guidance for Higher Education

Keeping higher education in mind, students highlighted the need for new hostels in line with rising student numbers in colleges. They also suggested dedicated career counselling sessions and better availability of competitive exam resources in libraries.

Teachers and Women Highlight Basic Civic Concerns

Teachers and working women drew attention to several everyday challenges related to daily life and workplaces. They stressed the need for proper playgrounds in schools and residential areas, as well as safer commuting options through the construction of foot overbridges (FOBs) and underpasses.

They also called for long-term solutions to persistent issues like waterlogging.

Suggestions on Creches, AI Training and Women’s Welfare

Working women suggested setting up creche facilities in schools. Teachers, on the other hand, called for AI-based training programmes to upgrade their skills, addressing teacher shortages, and organizing educational exposure visits.

Additionally, several women emphasized the need for special schemes to promote women drivers and provisions at workplaces to support women during their menstrual cycles.

Sportspersons Call for Stronger Sports Ecosystem

Participants from the sports sector made a range of suggestions to strengthen Delhi’s sports culture. They proposed making sports mandatory in schools, setting up residential sports academies, and building better training infrastructure.

Sportspersons also recommended rationalising stadium usage fees, appointing permanent coaches—especially women coaches—and establishing rehabilitation centres for athletes.

Further demands included financial support (grants) for sports associations, setting up more sports academies across the capital, ensuring availability of sports equipment in schools, hiring trained physical trainers, and providing training allowances for athletes.

The Chief Minister said the government aims to present a budget that reflects the needs of all sections—students, women, teachers, sportspersons and the general public.

“This budget will not just be a financial document, but a comprehensive roadmap to improve the lives of Delhi’s people,” she said.

Gupta expressed confidence that the suggestions received during the dialogue would be clearly visible in Budget 2026, helping Delhi move towards greater development, opportunity and empowerment.

Interaction with Doctors and Women Commercial Drivers

As part of this outreach, the CM Rekha Gupta had also interacted with doctors and women commercial drivers on Tuesday. She said the government is working to bring governance closer to the people, ensuring that policymaking is shaped by real experiences, needs and feedback.

Calling public participation the key strength of a developed Delhi, Gupta added that her discussions with medical professionals focused on making healthcare services stronger, more accessible and more people-centric. Their insights, she said, would help pave the way for a more robust and responsive healthcare system.