Congress Delhi president Ajay Maken has alleged that a “paralysis in governance” in the Capital was the prime reason behind a slump in Value Added Tax (VAT) collection to almost 1.75 per cent in 2014-15, as compared to the 10.03 per cent VAT collection in 2013.
Quoting figures of the comparative tax collection from February to June in 2013-15, Mr. Maken said the slump was despite the increase on VAT in petrol and diesel.
“The collection last year was Rs.18,589 crore and, in this year’s Economic Survey, the Delhi government has set a target of Rs. 24,000 crore. I wonder what magic trick the government has up its sleeves to trigger a 32 per cent hike in VAT collection which, in reality, is a pack of lies in addition being an unrealistic target intended to fool the people of Delhi,” Mr. Maken said.
Seeking to “remind Mr. Kejriwal” of allegations that lower tax collection was due to corruption, applying the same yardstick, the slump in the VAT collection during the six-month rule of the Aam Aadmi Party government was because his government was wasting tax payers’ money on self promotion through political ads.
Mr. Maken also quoted several instances of the Chief Minister “manufacturing artificial controversies” regarding the postings of bureaucrats in Delhi despite being aware of the fact that there were guidelines that could not be overlooked.
“As soon as they came to power, he tried to kick up a storm regarding the appointment of the chief secretary of Delhi when the name of Ramesh Negi, who was 14 cadres junior, was suggested but not approved by the Centre,” Mr. Maken said.
The former Union Minister further alleged that the Chief Minister had “adopted the same modus operandi” in the appointment of Shankuntala Gamlin as Chief Secretary to play the victim card, despite Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia clearing her name for the post.
“Mr. Kejriwal followed the same pattern of hue and cry in the appointment of Swati Maliwal as chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women without sending the file to the Lieutenant Governor,” Mr. Maken alleged.
