Delhi growth rate 12.6%, splendid performance in social sectors

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) An official survey today brought out the vibrancy of growth rate of Delhi with the figure of 12.6 per cent far surpassing the national GDP growth of eight per cent and splendid achievements relating to the social sector.

'The Economic Survey of Delhi 2005-06' released by state Finance Minister A K Walia, also brought out robust macro parameters with total tax collection standing at Rs 8,939 crore -- a 26 per cent growth over the previous year -- and fiscal deficit at par with 'full-fledged' states.

The survey, fourth in the series, also highlighted how an average citizen in Delhi was better off than other states with the per capita income 2.5 times than that of the national average.

Per capita expenditure on education was Rs 1,445 against the country's figure of Rs 752. Similarly, per capita expenditure on health was Rs 617 against the low national figure of Rs 189.

The survey provided analytical data for a large number of sectors like public finance, prices, environment, industries, energy, transport, urban development, sanitation, education, health, social welfare, rural development and trade and commerce.

It also brought that VAT was a success story in capital with revenues growing by 25 per cent over previous year's sales tax collections.

VAT, introducted on April 1, 2005, was met with a lot of hesitation from state governments fearing loss of revenue and stiff resistance from the trading community which felt that their paper work would increase many fold. Whereas, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were yet to come on-board, in Delhi revenues had bolstered and resistance from the trading community also died down.

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