BJP Claims Atishi Misleads on Delhi Budget Allocation

The BJP on Sunday accused Delhi minister Atishi of creating confusion about budget allocation to the national capital by the Centre and asserted that adequate funds had been provided to the city government. Atishi knows that her government's own budget for 2023-24 was Rs 78,800 crore, whereas, in the same year, Rs 79,032 crore was spent in Delhi by the central government on only 24 items, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva claimed.

Central Government's Expenditure

Countering her, Sachdeva said the central government's direct expenditure in Delhi for the year 2023-24 includes Rs 12,000 crore for Delhi Police, Rs 9,800 crore for Delhi Metro, Rs 9,283 crore on Region Rapid Transit System (RRTS), Rs 8,000 crore on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Rs 3,000 crore on Indian Railways, and Rs 4,401.35 crore on the pension of Delhi government employees.

Additionally, Rs 2,603 crore was allocated for Delhi University, Rs 4,134 crore for AIIMS-Delhi, and Rs 1,826 crore for Safdarjung Hospital, he said.

Atishi's Demands

Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Friday demanded Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre for infrastructure development. She claimed that the city government has received nothing in return over the past year despite making an income tax contribution of Rs 2 lakh crore. Delhi also provided Rs 25,000 crore as central GST to the pool of taxes, she said.

In addition to the Rs 79,032 crore, Sachdeva shared that the central government has provided FAME buses worth hundreds of crores of rupees to Delhi. Significant funds were also given under various schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Namami Gange.

AAP's Response

Dismissing Sachdeva's claims, the AAP said the central government is only promoting its own schemes and every state receives its allocated share of funds. But Delhi, despite paying a very high amount in taxes, is not getting its due share of taxes and funds from the Centre, the AAP said in a statement.

While other states receive their share of taxes and funds for their municipal corporations, Delhi unjustly receives neither its due share of taxes nor funds for its municipal corporations despite contributing Rs 2.07 lakh crores in taxes—one of the highest amounts in the country—the AAP said. The BJP should stop misleading and deceiving the public.

The AAP added that the BJP should understand that Delhiites are not begging in front of the central government but are demanding their rightful share.

Sachdeva stated that Atishi is well aware of all expenditures made by the Centre yet she is creating confusion. He emphasised that adequate funds have been provided to Delhi by the central government.

The BJP's assertion comes amid ongoing disputes over financial allocations between state and central governments. The debate highlights differing perspectives on fiscal responsibilities and contributions within India's federal structure.