In a budget that proposed no new taxes for Delhites, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday announced Rs. 260 crore in power subsidies “to provide relief to targeted consumers on account of increase in tariffs and to ensure that the poor and marginalised should not suffer”. The Rs.36,776 crore budget for Delhi was presented in Parliament as Delhi is currently under President’s rule.
The government announced a subsidy of Rs.1.20 per unit up to 200 units and 80 paisa per unit for the 201-400 units slab to small power consumers. In addition, Mr. Jaitley announced a slew of initiatives that will add more night shelters, low-floor buses, schools and sewage treatment capacity in the Capital. A multi-speciality hospital is also slated to come up in Rohini.
“The total budget estimates for the Government of NCT of Delhi for the year 2014-15 is Rs.36,766 crore. It includes Rs.19,066 crore non-Plan expenditure and Rs.17,700 crore Plan expenditure,” said Mr. Jaitley.
In the health sector, the government proposed a new medical college with 100 seats, 50 more dialysis units, 110 new ambulances and a one-stop centre for crisis management and rehabilitation of victims of sexual assault which will be set up in each district with the support of the Central Government. More senior citizens have been brought under the ambit of the pension schemes which will now cover 4.30 lakh people. Besides, seven more night shelters will be constructed adding to the existing 185.
Mr. Jaitley said the construction of Renuka dam will be taken up on priority and so will the renovation and modernisation of the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants. “The laying of interceptor sewer along with three major drains at a cost of Rs.1,976 crore will be completed in phases by June 2015. It will ensure that only treated waste waster is discharged into the Yamuna by each of the drain thus improving the quality of the water,” he said.
Further, the New Delhi Municipal Council area will be developed as a solar city and the 1500 MW gas turbine station at Bawana will be made fully functional, said Mr. Jaitley. The BJP government at the Centre also announced plans for providing toilets and other basic amenities for people residing in JJ clusters and unauthorised colonies in the Capital.
