Plan body praises CM, hikes Delhi’s annual budget

The Sheila Dikshit government received a pat on its back from the Planning Commission for launching various social schemes over the past few years.

The Sheila Dikshit government received a pat on its back from the Planning Commission for launching various social schemes over the past few years.

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Planning Commission chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the body had reviewed all aspects of Delhi’s economy and its citizen services have improved hugely. The commission also approved the annual plan size of Rs 16,000 crore for Delhi for 2013-14, which is marginally up from Rs 15,862 crore in 2012-13.

Delhi government officials, however, said there was a substantial increase in the approved plan in comparison to the actual plan expenditure of Rs 13,229 crore in 2012-13. The officials added that 93% of the annual plan for 2013-14 will be financed from the government’s own resources.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the state would be able to utilise the funds properly despite the three-four months when model code of conduct will be in force due to elections.

Dikshit said she discussed various issues plaguing the city for years with the Planning Commission. “We have stressed upon the need of allocation of due share in lieu of central taxes to Delhi.

Our share has remained frozen at Rs 325 crore since 2001-02. We have also requested the commission to look into the difficulties being faced by us due to non-commissioning of the Munak Canal, delay in completion of peripheral expressways, non-availability of gas for Bawana and the proposed Bamnauli plant,” Dikshit said.