AAP leader questions Central Government’s funding ‘disparity’

New Delhi, July 20

The Delhi Government has demanded a fair share of Rs 10,000 crore in the upcoming Union Budget, which is set to be presented on July 23. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Mayor Shelly Oberoi made the appeal at a press conference on Saturday, highlighting the significant tax contributions made by Delhiites and the lack of corresponding financial support from the Central Government.

Capital hasn’t got a penny

Delhi is among the highest tax paying states in the country. Last year, the residents paid Rs 2.32 lakh crore taxes to the Centre. However, still Delhi is the only state which does not get its share of allocation for maintenance of the city. Atishi, Finance Minister

“Despite Delhiites contributing Rs 2.07 lakh crore in income tax annually, the MCD receives no funds from the Centre,” said Atishi. “States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra receive substantial allocations for local bodies, but Delhi continues to be neglected,” they said.

Oberoi emphasised the Kejriwal government’s commitment to supporting the MCD, citing a substantial allocation of Rs 6,060 crore to the municipal body. “We urge the Centre to now fulfil its duty to the taxpayers of Delhi,” Oberoi said.

The Delhi Government has earmarked the demanded Rs 10,000 crore for specific development projects: Rs 5,000 crore for cleanliness, Rs 3,000 crore for roads and Rs 2,000 crore for parks and city beautification.

“Last year, Delhiites paid a total of Rs 2.32 lakh crore in taxes to the Central Government. Yet, Delhi did not get a single penny back as its tax share,” she claimed.

Atishi criticised the Central Government for ignoring Delhi’s contributions while providing significant funds to other states. “Uttar Pradesh gets Rs 13,432 crore annually, Maharashtra Rs 7,115 crore and Bihar gets Rs 6,079 crore from the Central Government for local bodies,” she said, asking “Why can’t the Centre provide funds for cleaning Delhi when it does so for cities like Mumbai, Patna, and Bhopal?”

“We are demanding an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the MCD from the Central Budget. This is only 5 per cent of the income tax paid by the people of Delhi,” Atishi reiterated.

Reacting to the demands, Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Atishi of making false claims. She said under the National Clean Air Programme, the Centre allocated Rs 742.69 crore to the Delhi government. However, a recent study revealed that 70 per cent of these funds were not utilised, she stated.

“Delhi has become the most polluted capital in the world. Without a master action plan, Delhi will again turn into a gas chamber and suffocate in the coming winter,” Swaraj stated.