Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired her first cabinet meeting just hours after taking the oath of office.
NEW DELHI: Days after taking the oath of office, the newly established BJP-led Delhi government swiftly moved into action, beginning the implementation of the promises made during its election campaign. On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, accompanied by senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Kamaljeet Sehrawat, visited Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital in the national capital.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the hospital’s condition and available facilities.
Speaking to the media during his visit, Singh stated, “We are working based on the trust that the people of Delhi have placed in our party. Whatever facilities are lacking here, we will ensure they are provided. We have come here to take necessary actions for the welfare of the common people.”
He further emphasised, “We implemented the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ in our very first cabinet meeting, and we are committed to taking all necessary steps to enhance the health infrastructure under the BJP government.” Meanwhile, the newly appointed Public Works Department (PWD) Minister of Delhi, Parvesh Verma, conducted an inspection of ongoing department projects at Bhairon Marg up to Sarai Kale Khan, Ring Road, in the national capital. During his inspection, he engaged with various constituents and officials to address grievances and explore possible solutions. While assessing the progress of a 4-km-long stretch of road under repair, Verma inquired about the strategies being employed to manage traffic congestion during road closures. An official informed him that the work is carried out lane by lane, primarily at night, to minimise disruptions.
Directing the officials, Verma stated, “Construct a road that remains in good condition for at least 10-15 years. Though the official timeline is five years, you must ensure its longevity for a decade or more.”
Similarly, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood, on Saturday, reiterated the government’s firm stance against illegal waste dumping and debris accumulation on PWD roads, underscoring its commitment to maintaining cleanliness and civic upkeep. Addressing the issue, Sood remarked, “Rekha Gupta’s government will not tolerate illegal waste and debris on PWD roads. The government has directed the PWD department to clear these materials from the roads, and we are dedicated to ensuring this. Every minister is actively working across different locations to achieve this goal.”
Criticising the previous administration, he added, “We are dealing with this challenge because, in the past 2.5 years, the AAP’s Municipal Council and Mayor allowed the situation to deteriorate. Our campaign to resolve this issue will continue.”
Furthermore, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Friday, held a meeting with officials from the PWD and Jal Board to deliberate on key infrastructural concerns, including pothole repair and water supply management.
Speaking to the media, Gupta stated, “In our cabinet meeting on Friday, we approved the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which had been previously blocked by the AAP government. This scheme will soon be made accessible to the public. Additionally, we have called for a meeting with PWD and Jal Board officials to discuss pressing infrastructure issues, including potholes, which we are determined to address.”
Notably, Gupta chaired her first cabinet meeting just hours after taking the oath of office. Following the meeting, she announced two significant decisions—implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme with an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up and presenting the 14 pending CAG reports during the first Assembly session. She affirmed that the Delhi government would enforce the Centre’s flagship scheme in the national capital. This was one of the BJP’s key electoral promises, with the party having criticised the AAP government for failing to implement it. The BJP’s manifesto for the Delhi elections had pledged to ensure affordable and high-quality healthcare for all residents. The Chief Minister also noted that additional crucial matters would be addressed in future cabinet meetings, reiterating the government’s commitment to tackling public concerns. Meanwhile, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi has written a letter to Gupta, urging her to meet the AAP legislative delegation on February 23 to discuss the implementation of the Rs 2,500 monthly scheme for women, a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign. Atishi extended her best wishes to CM Rekha Gupta on assuming office and, in her letter, referenced Modi’s election rally speech in Dwarka on January 31, 2025.
She wrote, “During an election rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the mothers and sisters of Delhi that after the formation of a BJP government, the first cabinet meeting would approve a Rs 2,500 per month scheme for them. He stated, ‘This is Modi’s guarantee.’”
However, Atishi pointed out that despite the first cabinet meeting being held on February 20, the promised scheme was not approved. Expressing concerns, she remarked, “The women of Delhi placed their trust in Modi’s guarantee, and now they feel deceived.”
Requesting a meeting with Gupta, Atishi wrote, “The AAP legislative delegation seeks to meet you on February 23 to discuss this matter. On behalf of the countless women of Delhi, I earnestly request you to allocate some time from your busy schedule so that we may present our case for concrete action on this scheme.