The Union Territory of Delhi was allocated Rs 1,168 crore in the 2024-25 interim budget on Thursday, the same as in 2023-24, with the AAP government accusing the Centre of giving it “step-motherly” treatment.
The transfer to Delhi from the Union home ministry included Rs 1,168 crore under the revenue head and Rs 0.01 crore under the capital head.
In the 2022-23 budget, Delhi was allocated Rs 960 crore. It was increased to Rs 1,168.01 crore in 2023-24 and remains the same for 2024-25.
There were no grants in lieu of share in central taxes and duties for Delhi. It was Rs 325 crore in the 2022-23 budget.
The grants in return of Delhi’s share in the pool of central taxes and duties was clubbed in the “central assistance to Union Territories” in the budget estimates of 2023-24 and has remained so this year, the budget document said.
The allocation under central assistance to Delhi in the budget 2024-25 estimates was Rs 951 crore like the previous budget for 2023-24. It is provided for financing the schemes of the Delhi government. Delhi Finance Minister and AAP leader Atishi alleged that this budget has once again proved that the BJP-led central government is actually a government of hollow promises and “step-motherly” treatment has been meted out to Delhi. “Delhi has a share of Rs 15,000 crore in central taxes but it has only been allocated Rs 1,100 crore by the Centre. Like every time, we have been given step-motherly treatment. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has not been given a single penny,” she said.
“The government has provided central assistance of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 16,000 crore to urban local bodies but no allocations has been made for the MCD. They do not have money for the Delhi government or the MCD,” Atishi said.