The Delhi government had ‘tried its best’ to allay financial woes of the Capital’s municipal corporations over three successive months, but didn’t have the wherewithal to continue bailing them out, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared on Monday, even as he released funds amounting to Rs.500 crore to assist striking civic body employees.
Interacting with employees of the North and East Delhi municipal corporations during the Delhi government’s ‘Samvad with Safai Karamcharis’ at Ramlila Maidan here, Mr. Kejriwal’s Cabinet, led by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, pulled all stops to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party of triggering the financial crunch confronting them.
Financial woes
“Despite our own financial woes and to honour the support shown by all of you to the Aam Aadmi Party, we first provided financial respite to you in May, then in April and are doing it again. But please understand, we don’t have the means to continue doing so,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
“I have sought time on Tuesday from [Union Finance Minster] Arun Jaitley to discuss the issue and ensure that your salaries are disbursed on time this month at least. However, if they aren’t, please protest outside the homes of Union Ministers responsible instead of ours,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the Capital generated and paid around Rs.1.31 lakh crore to the Central exchequer every financial year, but received pittance by way of grants from the former in return.
“We, the government, don’t get a single dime from all the advertisements and hoardings installed across the Capital. Shouldn’t we be entitled to some share of revenue generated through these at least?”
For the time being, he said, the government will disburse Rs.292 crore to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation and over Rs.300 crore to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
On his part, Mr. Sisodia produced a copy of non-plan budgetary allocations by the North Delhi body to allege that BJP councillors and leaders had affected cuts in salary budgets for ancillary expenditures.
“Read these budget estimates yourself. You will find that the money meant for your salaries was diverted for construction of swimming pools and vaccination of stray dogs,” Mr. Sisodia claimed.
“Where are these pools? Look at any Delhi street, and you will find that stray dogs are still a problem. Where did your money go? Ask the BJP leaders constituting the Standing Committees these questions because you have a right to know,” he added.
