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Delhi

‘Delhi needs its funds to move forward’

Keeping an eye on the assembly elections slated for December next year, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will write to the Central government over delay in giving funds which is affecting city’s development.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday convened by Dikshit, a presentation by principal secretary, finance, D M Spolia was given to the chief minister and her cabinet ministers. At the presentation, it was stated that the funds allocated by Central government under various development schemes have been received only partially by Delhi government.

Around 3/ 4 funds under normal assistance funds, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), urban infrastructure and governance (UIG), besides funds for improving basic services to the urban poor has been delayed by the union government.

Top level sources said that Dikshit has now decided to write letters to every department and ministry concerned to release the remaining funds to the government as early as possible as various civic and infrastructure projects are pending completion.

A senior official from Delhi government said that government’s main concern is developing of roads in all parts of the city, which are handed over to them from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Sources said that under central road fund (CRF), a hefty amount will be given to city government and government will be looking to develop the roads with the help of the fund.

Earlier, Dikshit deman-ded an increase in central budgetary allocation to Delhi, saying it has been stagnant at Rs 325 crore per annum for last 10 years.

Delhi government has been complaining that although central assistance to the states is calculated considering the state budget, the same has not been applied for granting the allocation to Delhi in the last few years.

Officials said that Delhi’s annual budget crossed Rs 35,000 crore.

Delhi government has been under a lot of pressure to enhance infrastructure due to increasing migration into the city and it needs funds to improve the facilities to match the demand.
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