Kejriwal, Sisodia attack Centre for “less” share in central taxes for MCDs
Allege Centre remains “indifferent” towards Delhi
New Delhi, Feb. 2 (Delhi Crown): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia have accused the Union Government of meting a step-motherly treatment in terms of allocating the share in central taxes and duties and overall central assistance for the there local bodies – MCDs.
They said that while rest of the states get 42% share in central taxes, only Rs. 325 crore was given to Delhi.
Reacting sharply to the Union Budget on Tuesday, Kejriwal tweeted – “The public had huge expectations from the budget due to the pandemic’s woes. The people have been left bereft. There’s nothing in this budget for the common man, nothing that will reduce the inflation.”
In the Budget, under grants-in-aid to union territories Delhi was allocated Rs. 1,168 crore, including Rs. 325 crore grants in lieu of share in central taxes and duties, and Rs. 626 crore central assistance. Though, it was slightly higher than Rs. 957.51 crore allocated (to Delhi) in 2021-22.
In his reaction, Sisodia said – “The central government remains indifferent to Delhi. While the rest of the states get 42% share in central taxes, only Rs. 325 crore is being given to the Delhi government for the last 21 years. Giving Delhi only Rs. 325 crore out of the budget of Rs. 8.16 lakh crore allocated for the share of all states in central taxes, shows the negative attitude of the central government towards the people of Delhi.”
He added – “The central government allocated Rs. 69,421 crore in this budget to municipal corporations in various states across India, but the civic bodies in Delhi, where the BJP always bemoans a lack of funds, received nothing,” Sisodia said.