Delhi Budget: FM Arun Jaitley imposes no new tax

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 18, 2014:  Proposing no new taxes in the Budget for Delhi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today announced subsidy of Rs 0.80 to Rs 1.20 per unit to small power consumers as also a slew of measures like low floor buses, sanitation and multi-speciality hospital in Rohini.

The Rs 36,776 crore budget for Delhi was presented in Parliament as the state is currently under the President’s rule.

Proposing the Budget for 2014-15, Jaitley said no new tax has been proposed in Delhi and added that more night shelters would be set up in the National Capital Territory area.

A multi-speciality hospital will come up in Rohini and 50 dialysis centres in the different parts of NCT. Also four new sewage treatment plants have been planned for Delhi.

The government has earmarked Rs 260 crore for power subsidy.

Following protest by Congress and opposition members over the Budget proposals, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said issues could be raised during the debate on it.

Jaitley later said he was only proposing the Budget, which would be passed after discussion.

Referring to power tariff hike, Jaitley said it was necessitated due to increase in input costs.

“However, the poor and marginalised should not suffer. I, therefore, propose power subsidy of Rs 260 crore for domestic consumers to provide relief to targeted consumers on account of increase in tariff. The modalities will be worked out by the Government of NCT of Delhi,” he said.

Considering the paucity of good health facilities under government sector in South Delhi, he also proposed sanctioning one multi-speciality hospital for South Delhi in the current year. This will be in addition to the one proposed at Rohini.

The government has also proposed to increase plan outlay under pension to senior citizens from Rs 538 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 600 crore in the current fiscal.

Jaitley said that to solve water supply problems in the capital region, construction of long pending Renuka Dam would be taken up on priority.

In order to provide better transport to the commuters, Jaitley said tenders have been floated for procurement of 1,380 semi-low floor buses for DTC.

“To provide convenience to the commuters, DTC will introduce an automated fare collection system through electronic ticketing machines and card readers. This system will subsequently be integrated with the fare collection system of Delhi Metro,” he said.

Of the Rs 36,766 crore total budget estimate, Rs 19,066 crore is non-plan expenditure.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presents Rs 36,776 crore Delhi budget.

* No new taxes proposed in Delhi budget: Jaitley

* Multi-speciality hospital to be opened in Rohini, Delhi; 50 dialysis centres will be opened: Jaitley.

* Community toilets to be set up in JJ clusters: Jaitley.

* More night centres will be opened in Delhi; four new sewerage treatment plants will be set up:  Jaitley.

* Rs 0.80-1.20 per unit subsidy to be provided to small electricity consumers: Jaitley

* Govt provides Rs 260 crore for power subsidy in Delhi: Jaitley