NEW DELHI: Dissatisfied with the Budget, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday claimed that there is nothing for the middle class and traders in this budget. Kejriwal also alleged that the Centre has 'continued' its 'step-motherly' treatment to Delhi. Meanwhile, his deputy, Manish Sisodia said that the Centre continues to treat Delhi residents as 'second-grade citizens'. In a tweet, Kejriwal said that he had expected some financial assistance for important infrastructure projects for the national capital.
The Kejriwal-led Delhi government has been demanding that the share in central taxes and duties for the city should be increased. "I had expected some financial assistance to important infrastructure projects for the national capital. Am disappointed that the Centre continues its step-motherly treatment to Delhi," Kejriwal tweeted.
Similarly, Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, expressed disappointment over Delhi's share in central taxes and duties remaining unchanged. "Disappointing #Budget2018. Not a single extra rupee increased in Delhi's share in Central taxes since 2001-02, stays at Rs 325 crore. No other part of India gets such treatment (sic)," he said in a series of tweets. "Delhi police comes under Centre. Yet no plans or schemes announced to tackle crime and issues of women safety that have made Delhi the crime capital of India. Highly disappointing #Budget2018! (sic)," he tweeted.
According to the government, Delhi's share in central taxes has been kept at Rs 325 crore, static since 2001-02.
"We had requested the Government of India a number of times to enhance the allocation to at least Rs 5,000 crore as share in Central Taxes as against Rs 325 crore being released to Delhi. "The Budget of Delhi has increased from Rs 8739 crore in the year 2001-02 to Rs 48,000 crore in 2017-18, whereas the share in Central Taxes has remained frozen at Rs 325 crore since 2001-02," Sisodia elaborated.
He added that other states are getting share in central taxes every year based on the annual increase in collection of central taxes. The Delhi Finance Minister also noted that Government of India is providing basic and performance grants to local bodies in all states as per recommendations made by 14th Central Finance Commission for its award period of 2015-20. However, local bodies in Delhi are not getting any support from the Government of India, he added.