NEW DELHI: AAP provided assistance to only 97 families of Covid victims, while spending Rs 17 crore on publicity, according to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. She criticized the previous AAP government for prioritizing advertisements over welfare initiatives during the pandemic.
Gupta, who also serves as the finance minister, defended her government’s one lakh crore budget in the Delhi Assembly. She accused the AAP of misusing public funds on events like a Diwali celebration, publicity, and a sports university that only exists on paper.
The chief minister pledged to eliminate financial wastage to ensure that Delhi’s funds are used efficiently, making the budget goals achievable without relying on the central government.
In response, Leader of Opposition Atishi criticized the budget as a hollow projection due to the lack of an economic survey. She predicted that Delhi’s fiscal deficit would exceed Rs 13,000 crore, accusing the BJP government of inflating revenue estimates.
During a budget discussion, Atishi disputed the government’s claim of a one lakh crore budget, stating that the actual figure is Rs 78,000 crore. She argued that the government would struggle to secure loans under the Small Savings Scheme or receive anticipated funds from the central government.
The Delhi Assembly witnessed intense debates as BJP and AAP legislators clashed over governance and budget priorities. BJP MLA OP Sharma made a pointed remark about previous governments, suggesting that many individuals would emerge from Sheesh Mahal after smoking weed and claim to be the rightful owners of Delhi. This statement sparked reactions from the opposition members.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood defended the budget, emphasizing that its purpose was not to transform Delhi into a city resembling London or Paris, but rather to uphold the true essence of Delhi as a place inhabited by generous and compassionate individuals.
AAP MLA Gopal Rai criticized the government for presenting a budget without an economic survey, arguing that this lack of data led to unreliable financial projections. Rai also accused the administration of neglecting elected representatives.
Rai highlighted the Speaker’s need to address the chief secretary regarding the city’s officers, as Delhi’s MLAs often find themselves in a position of having to plead for assistance in getting tasks completed.
Gupta accused the AAP of taking control of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) social media account, prompting the BJP government to pursue legal action for its recovery. Gupta expressed frustration, stating that the AAP not only misappropriated funds from Delhi residents but also seized control of the official social media account of the CMO.
The chief minister dismissed the opposition’s criticisms and assured that the BJP-led government would allocate funds towards genuine development projects. She contrasted her government’s approach with that of the AAP, emphasizing that they would not hoard allocated funds without utilizing them, but rather prioritize completing essential tasks to benefit the people of Delhi.
The budget discussion remained tense as the BJP and AAP clashed over financial priorities and governance. Gupta hailed the Rs one lakh crore budget as historic, viewing it as a significant step towards achieving self-reliance for Delhi.
