Delhi Budget presented "without economic survey", Opposition questions growth projections

New Delhi [India], March 27 (ANI): The Delhi government's Budget presented in the Assembly came under sharp criticism as AAP leader and Leader of the Opposition Atishi raised concerns over economic projections in the absence of a pre-Budget economic survey.
During the discussion, LoP Atishi congratulated the Chief Minister on the Budget and her remarks on Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. She said: "There is Ali in Diwali and Ram in Ramzan." However, the leader argued that the Budget demonstrated why the ruling BJP was often called a "party of slogans," highlighting that the financial plan was presented without an economic survey.
"The GDP growth projection for the entire country is 6.5 per cent, so I fail to understand how Delhi's tax collection projection exceeds 20 per cent," she said. The Opposition also cited an instance from Uttar Pradesh, where the Assembly Speaker had ruled that a Budget could not be tabled without an economic survey.
The leader further claimed that Delhi was unlikely to achieve its estimated revenue of Rs 15,000 crore in tax collections or receive Rs 7,000 crore from the Central government. He estimated the actual Budget size at Rs 78,000 crore, stating, "Let the air out of the balloon of one lakh crore."
Additionally, concerns were raised over a Rs 500 crore reduction in allocations for unauthorised colonies compared to previous years. The Opposition questioned the government's priorities and the feasibility of its revenue projections.
The Delhi government has defended the Budget, stating that its fiscal policies are designed to support the city's growth and welfare initiatives.
Earlier on Thursday, she claimed that the law and order situation was deteriorating under the ruling party in the national capital.
The LoP also raised concern over the rejection of Opposition members' special mentions on law and order issues.
Speaking to ANI, Atishi said, "The law and order is deteriorating in Delhi. When AAP MLAs wanted to raise this issue in the Assembly, whether it is atrocities on women, rape cases, firing, gang war, drug cases and extortion calls. Today, the law and order are turning worse."
"When AAP MLAs put forward these issues of the deteriorating law and order situation in the Delhi Assembly, Speaker Vijender Gupta rejected our notices. He said that there would be no discussion in the Assembly over the law and order situation in Delhi. The Delhi Assembly, which is a representative for the people of the national capital, will not hold discussions on it. It seems like Vijender Gupta is trying to hide the failure of the 'double engine' government here," Atishi added. (ANI)