JOIN USDelhi Budget 2012-13 was approved by the Assembly on Monday after the conclusion of chief minister Sheila Dikshit's reply to the debate in the House.
Referring the budget as ‘unique’ and having enough provisions to “fulfill our dreams of comfortable, modern, friendly and beautiful world class Delhi,” Dikshit expressed disappointment at the role of main opposition party in the House — Bharatiya Janata Party.
Out of the total 22 BJP MLAs – except three – all were suspended from the House last week for three days and apparently missed the voting on the budget on Monday.
Dikshit said absence of main opposition party during discussion – debate and reply – is disappointing.
“The opposition members criticise us, but when it comes to debate over the budget they skip it. It has become a their habit and has happened several times in the past,” added Dikshit while describing her Budget as people centric and development oriented.
CM said figures disseminating overall development of the city show that it has become an epicenter of NCR growth.
“Our budget is a zero loan budget and will go a long way in meeting the present day requirement of the people of Delhi. Our debt — GSDP ratio has reduced from 16.04 per cent in 2007-08 to 9.43 per cent during 2011-12, lowest in the country.
Over 94 per cent of the budget will be met from over own sources, Dikshit told the House.
The target in the current fiscal for tax collection is Rs 26,150 crore and this will represent a growth of 31 per cent over the tax collection of Rs 19,972 crore in 2011-12, said CM.
Dikshit added that two new schemes announced in the Budget will benefit large number of poor families.
Under Delhi Annshri Scheme two lakh vulnerable households will be provided with food subsidy of Rs 600 per month — cash will be given to the senior most family member.
In order to make Delhi a kerosene free city, government will provide one time cash subsidy of Rs 2,000 to around 1.75 lakh households for obtaining an LPG connection and purchase of a gas stove.
MLA funds
Chief Minister, however, turned down the demand of MLAs to increase their local area development (LAD) fund from Rs four crore to Rs five crore per annum.
Rejecting the demand, Dikshit informed the House that the fund was increased from Rs two crore to Rs four crore in 2011-12 and an unspent amount of Rs 258 crore is available with MCD as on 31st March, 2012.
Another Rs 62 crore under MLA-LAD fund remains unsanctioned with urban development department.
“With the current year’s budget provision of Rs 280 crore, the total available fund under this scheme will be Rs 600 crore for the current financial year,” said Dikshit while suggesting that out of Rs four crores, Rs one crore may be earmarked as water and sewerage works.
Relief for commuters
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said proposals in her budget to levy 5 per cent VAT on CNG and another 5 per cent VAT on costly textile items have been dropped, keeping in view sentiments expressed by people and legislators, reports DHNS.
During the debate on the state’s budget on Monday, she said 20 per cent VAT on enhanced price of petrol will also be waived off soon.
This will make petrol cheaper by 92 paisa in Delhi. In the budget, she had proposed imposition of VAT on CNG to generate over Rs 100 crore in revenue. It would have pushed up CNG price to Rs 37.20 per kg from Rs 35.45 per kg.
Bills passed
The House was able to pass two bills, Indian Stamp (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2012 and the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2012 — also introduced by Walia, reports DHNS. The two Bills were passed by voice vote.
Dr Walia said an amendment approved by the House will help the city government to collect its legitimate stamp duty if the authorised share capital of companies increase.
“The government will be empowered to invoke 0.15 per cent of the authorised share capital with a monetary ceiling of Rs 25 lakh as stamp duty,” added Walia. To rationalise court fees and collection by e-court, it was earlier decided to amend section 26 of the Court Fees Act, 1870 to include e-stamping as a mean of court fees collection and revise Schedule I and Schedule II of the act.
This Bill was approved. “There was no revision of court fees in Delhi since 1958 while all kinds of duties and fees have been revised. A Committee of the Delhi High Court had asked state government to start e-court fee in the HC,” said Walia.
The fee in denomination of 40 paisa, 25 paisa and 50 paisa is no more in use and this necessitated revision of court fee. The revision may increase revenue generated on account of court fees.