Nothing unique in report, says Opposition

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, March 1

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised the presentation of the Economic Survey by Finance Minister Atishi, calling it routine with nothing unique.

He said, “It is regrettable that the Finance Minister resorted to cheap political rhetoric even before presenting the Economic Survey, making false claims.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, described the presentation as a mere jugglery of numbers.

Expressing surprise at the government’s claims of historic work, the LoP said, “The claim of Delhi’s Finance Minister regarding a rapid economic recovery post-Covid is nothing unique as the economy of the entire country, especially in metropolitan cities, had already begun to pick up pace last year.” Meanwhile, Sachdeva went on to call Atishi’s assertion that Delhi’s contribution to the GDP was significant as laughable. The BJP leader attributed the city’s economic standing to the efforts of traders and entrepreneurs and the Capital’s role as a commercial distribution centre.

He also refuted AAP’s claims about lower inflation and unemployment rates in Delhi and challenged the Delhi Government to provide evidence to support its claims.

He further labelled the government’s provisions for free electricity, water and bus ticket schemes as ineffective for many residents, especially the poor.

Talking about the issue of per capita income, the LoP argued that Delhi’s high income is a historical phenomenon, not solely attributable to the policies of the AAP government. He further raised concerns about the city’s escalating debt and deteriorating health infrastructure, citing recent remarks by the Delhi High Court.

Bidhuri criticised the condition of education and water supply in Delhi, alleging mismanagement and failure to deliver on promises.

He accused the government of blaming the Lieutenant-Governor for its own shortcomings and described it as a propaganda-driven administration.