Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, wants funds for local agencies

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for an aid of ` 4,087 crore for the local bodies (municipal corporations)

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for an aid of ` 4,087 crore for the local bodies (municipal corporations) in Delhi. In his letter to the PM, Kejriwal has said that the 14th Central Finance Commission allocated a grantin-aid of ` 2,87,436 crore to all the local bodies for 2015-2020.

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“However, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territories have been omitted from this grant-in-aid altogether on the argument that only states were covered under the award scheme of the Central Finance Commission. The grant-in-aid of ` 2,87,436 crore works out to be ` 488 per capita per annum. Delhi with a population of 1.675 crore, as per the 2011 Census, should be provided ` 4,087 crore, at the base rate of ` 488 per capita per annum, in the 14th Central Finance Commission grant in aid for the local bodies,” reads the letter.

Kejriwal said that the argument that only states are covered under award schemes of the Central Finance Commission is completely unfair as the municipalities in Delhi perform the same functions as the municipalities in other states. “Further, the taxation and other fiscal powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi are also similar to other states,” he said.

The letter said local bodies in all the states are under financial crunch and depend on relief from such grant in aid.