After meeting with professionals and women representatives, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday held detailed discussions with trader and industry organisations of the national capital, to seek their suggestions for the Viksit Delhi Budget.
At the meeting, traders and business owners have expressed frustration over inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation and lack of development, adding that they have been troubled by mismanagement and impractical policies of the previous government.
They also expressed concerns over the several impractical policies implemented by the previous government, cleanliness, availability of toilets and pollution.
During the discussion, Praveen Khandelwal was also present.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event related to the upcoming Delhi Budget 2025-26, Gupta said her government has received valuable suggestions from traders and industrialists and assured them of concrete action.
Gupta said that trade and industry people have shared their suggestions and aspirations with us to prepare a draft of the Viksit Delhi Budget".
The Chief Minister remarked that "the objective of this dialogue program is to improve the living standards of the citizens of Delhi by discussing their problems and make the budget according to the needs of all those sections".
"For years, traders and business owners have been suffering due to impractical policies, bureaucratic hurdles and negligence by the last government. There has been no real development — roads and drainage systems remain in poor condition, and even basic civic amenities like washrooms are lacking in major markets," she told reporters.
She highlighted issues faced by both small and large commercial hubs such as Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar, which are reeling from inadequate sewer systems, poor road conditions and overall neglect of infrastructure.
Criticising the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Gupta said that it had "focused only on publicising pain, but we are committed to finding solutions and providing relief".
The upcoming budget would prioritise infrastructure development, sanitation and business-friendly policies to support traders and boost economic activity in the capital, she said.
Expressing her commitment towards the resolution of her government, Rekha Gupta said that "both the policy and intention of our government are clear. The Delhi government is determined to bring about all-round development of Delhi and Delhiites".
She reiterated, "our aim is that this budget should give many big gifts to the people of Delhi and bring more prosperity in their lives".
Earlier Gupta was apprised on Wednesday about her meeting with education professionals, saying that people associated with schools and the education sector held discussions on several topics.
She said that the government intends to advance the education system in the national capital.
Gupta has earlier held detailed discussions with women's organizations in the Mahila Samvad organised in Delhi Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday on the Viksit Delhi Budget.
Women from various organisations attended the meeting and gave their suggestions on various issues related to women of Delhi. In the Mahila Samvad on the Viksit Delhi Budget, women mainly raised issues like women safety, financial assistance, increasing women's participation, better education, CCTV cameras and availability of toilets etc.