AAP blames Centre for Rs 4500 crore financial deficit in Delhi
New Delhi, March 25: Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government on Tuesday said that Delhi has a deficit of Rs 4,500 crore in the Financial Year 2014-15. It also blamed the Centre for poor economic condition.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said this while presenting a vote-on-account in the Delhi Assembly and alleged that the financial condition of the city has "deteriorated" in the last one year.
"Last time when we left Delhi government, it was in profit, but in the last one year it has gone into a loss. During that time, the city was being governed by the Centre through the medium of Lieutenant Governor (LG). Accounts of Delhi government reflect deficit of Rs 4,500 cr," Sisodia said.
AAP leader Shanti Bhushan denies holding meeting with dissidents
The deputy chief minister also tabled a budget estimate of Rs 37,750 crore for 2015-16.
Assuring improvement in government services and new projects, Sisodia said, "It is our commitment that we will overcome this financial loss and will also fulfill promises made to the people of this city before the election."
However, Opposition leaders questioned the need of the vote-on-account, even after one month of formation of the government.
"AAP
government
is
in
majority
and
moreover
they
are
in
government
for
over
a
month.
They
should
have
tabled
the
final
budget
instead
of
Vote-on-Account,"
BJP
MLA
Vijender
Gupta
said.
Seeking
financial
support
from
the
Centre,
the
Delhi
government
has
also
demanded
an
increase
in
Delhi's
share
from
central
taxes.
"The contribution of Delhi in the taxes is very significant as compared to other cities. Still Delhi's share in central taxes remains stagnant at Rs 325 crore since 2001-02. The 14th Central Finance Commission has recommended increasing the devolution of central taxes to states from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.
"Had this recommendation been applied then Delhi would have received around Rs 25,000 cr for five years (2015-20)," Sisodia said.
According to Delhi government statistics, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Delhi, at current prices in the current year is likely to attain a level of Rs 4,51,154 cr showing a growth of 15.35 per cent over the previous year. At constant prices, Delhi's economy is poised to grow at the rate of 8.2 per cent during 2014-15 compared to 7.4 per cent growth at the national level.
OneIndia
News
(With
agency
inputs)