Outcome Budget 2017-18 to BE TABLED on MARCH 20

NEW DELHI: Continuing with its initiative of ‘Outcome Budget' introduced last year, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in expenditure, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government is gearing up before the Budget session for the 2018-19 year with the Outcome Budget 2017-18 to be tabled on March 20.

With the Delhi government scheduled to present the Budget 2018-19 on March 21, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday directed the Planning Department to prepare a detailed departmentwise summary of performance against critical indicators of Outcome Budget up to third quarter of 2017-18.

"Specifically, the Planning Department should clearly highlight the percentage of critical indicators that were on-track and off-track as on 31 December, 2017, and the top 5-10 achievements for cash Department as per Outcome Budget,” Sisodia stated in a letter to the Department.

He also directed that based on the department-wise analysis of critical indicators that were on track as on 31 December, 2017, the Planning Department shall also prepare a table ranking top to bottom performing departments, and mention the names of Heads of Departments against each of the Departments.

“Planning Department is also directed to summarise its own learnings regarding how the comprehensive Outcome Budgeting exercise initiated in 2017-18 has been useful in improving governance and performance-orientation in Government of NCT of Delhi, and what further measures can be taken to strengthen it for FY 2018-19,” he added.

An official said the Environment Department has proposed fast-tracking of adoption of clean tandoors, while the Transport Department advocated engagement of electric buses, promotion of smaller electric vehicles and strengthening of PUC system.

"The Power department has also proposed special policy mechanism/incentives to promote adoption of solar energy in PWD departments, schools and hospitals," the official said.