Sheila hints at new taxes

The Union Budget raised the prices of petrol, diesel and cars. And now, the Delhi Budget is likely to spring some nasty surprises, reports Atul Mathur.

The Union Budget raised the prices of petrol, diesel and cars. And now, the Delhi Budget is likely to spring some nasty surprises.

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Addressing the Assembly, Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit hinted at levying new taxes in the upcoming budget.

Replying to the motion of thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s speech on the opening day of the Budget session, Dikshit said that Delhi government had spent a lot of money on the Commonwealth Games.

“We want to stand on our own feet now. We hope the people of Delhi will support us,” Dikshit said, adding the finance minister must have taken “certain decisions”, which “we will know when he presents his budget on Monday.” She, however, added that development works would not stop for want of funds.

A few days ago, Delhi finance minister Ashok Kumar Walia had mentioned that after the Centre cut Delhi’s budget by half, Delhi’s financial position was “tight” and the government will have to “look for solutions”.

Talking a dig at the opposition, which forced four adjournments on Tuesday after the speaker refused to allow a debate on price rise, Dikshit said even Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had praised Delhi for providing pulses and flour at subsidised rates. “Delhi was the first state to sell pulses and flour at cheaper rates through Mother Dairy and Kendriya Bhandar outlets,” Dikshit said.

Listing her government’s achievements, Dikshit said Delhiites were happy with the improvement in power supply. “People may have some complaints about cleanliness, water supply and transport but no one complains about electricity,” Dikshit said.

Accepting that there were some complaints of shortage of water, Dikshit said the government was aware of it. “Give us 2-3 years. The way we brought improvement in electricity (supply)… we will improve water (supply),” she said.