CM & Dy CM submit memorandum to Finance Commission on due tax share

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Friday called on the Chairman of 15th Finance Commission N K Singh and handed over a memorandum demanding that the national capital gets its due share in central taxes. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Finance Commission and Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and Finance Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary Renu Sharma.

Presenting the case of Delhi, the Chief Minister informed the 15th Finance Commission chairman that the national capital has been subjected to gross injustice for the last two decades. "For the growth of the nation, Delhi gives Rs 1.75 lakh crore as income tax to the Centre. But, it gets back only Rs 325 crore from the Centre for its own growth. The Centre should invest more in Delhi so that economic activities could grow in the national capital," CM Kejriwal said.

"Till the year 2000, the Constitution of India provided for money for Delhi in line with what the other states were getting. However, in the year 2000, the Constitution was amended and Delhi was removed from the list. Nothing can be done about what happened then. But what happened, as a result, was Delhi ceased of getting money from the Centre. This is injustice with Delhi," the CM said.

"Our request to the Finance Commission is that Delhi should also get funds for development like other states of the country to receive from the Centre. Finance Commission decides on how much funds should be given to a particular state and thus we have made a request with them. We have asked them to give Delhi its due. We believe that if the formula of post-the year 2000 is implemented, Delhi will get Rs 6000 crore annually," CM Kejriwal noted.

In his letter, the Chief Minister has written, "I would like to bring to your kind attention that the Government of NCT of Delhi has a separate Consolidated Fund w.e.f. December, 1993. The pattern of funding of Delhi's Budget has been changed from the year 1994-95 and is at par with other States. The financial transactions of Government of NCT of Delhi including servicing of small saving loans are being met out of our own resources like other States".

Earlier this month, the CM also wrote to the Union Finance Minister and Home Minister regarding the matter.