Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday allocated Rs 790 crore for Delhi in the Union Budget for 2018-19, much to the dismay of the Aam Aadmi Party Government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi Government has pitched for an enhancement in its share of the central assistance for augmenting transport services and mitigating pollution. The Centre had allotted a total of Rs 757.99 crore in the General Budget for 2017-18 and the Central assistance to the city Government then was Rs 412.98 crore.
Budgetary allocation for the Delhi Government stood at Rs 449.99 crore as Central assistance while the Centre had sanctioned Rs 757.99 crore for Delhi in the 2017-18 General Budget. Rs 10 crore has also been given to the AAP Government for paying enhanced compensation to the 1984 riot victims though the amount was Rs 15 crore in the 2017-18 Budget.
Apart from this, the grant for the Delhi Disaster Response Fund has remained unchanged with an allocation of Rs 5 crore.
It may be pertinent to mention here that the AAP Government has been demanding an increase in its share of Central taxes and duties. According to the Delhi Government officials, Delhi's share in Central taxes has remained static at Rs 325 crore since 2001-02.
Jaitley announced for the setting up of an Exhibition cum Convention Centre (ECC) at Dwarka in South West Delhi and allocated Rs 700 crore for the same. “The project will be in progress for the construction of all non-PPP components in Phase-I which will include two exhibition halls, convention centre, trunk infrastructure with services and utilities and service basement under the Exhibition Hall. By March 2019, these components are expected to be completed to an extent of 50 per cent,” the Finance Minister said.
On completion, this new facility is estimated to generate over five lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities in core ECC facilities as well as in supporting land uses like retail, office and hospitality.
Jaitley also announced a fund of Rs 25 crore for setting up of Performing Arts Centre & International Cultural Centres Construction work at National Centre for Performing Arts Complex with world-class facilities at New Delhi to be commenced (the scheme is under formulation and token provision has been kept). “To create cultural space, infrastructures for showcasing various performing art forms and to enhance people participation in cultural activities,” he said in speech.
Budgetary allocation for the Delhi Police saw an enhancement of 5.6 per cent in its annual grants. Jaitley, sanctioned Rs 6,946.28 crore in the Budget for the Delhi Police for 2018-19.
The Delhi Police has been allocated Rs 7,426.98 crore in the Union Budget for the next fiscal, an increase of Rs 1,048.8 crore from the current year, with Rs 19.75 crore being set aside for Nirbhaya Fund. This year the Delhi Police has got double the amount of the last Budget.
Out of the total amount allotted in the 2016-17 Budget, Rs 460.95 crore has been granted for police infrastructure that comprises office and residential building projects.
The Finance Minister reduced the fund meant for the safety and security of women in the city. Last year, Rs 28.90 crore was set aside for enhancing measures for ensuring women security in the national Capital but this time only Rs 19.75 crore has been allotted. “Last year Budget under Nirbhaya Fund was more because it included expenditure on infrastructure but this year it does not include any expenditure on infrastructure,” said a police official.
The Budget estimate for 2018-19 has put non-plan expenditure at Rs 6,946.28 crore, a major jump over the current fiscal's estimate of Rs 5,910.28.
Jaitley announced Rs 460.95 crore for Delhi Police Building Programme for office and residential buildings, construction of ongoing building projects, purchase of land for 8 projects i.e. police stations, police posts, district lines, self defence training institute for women, advance research & training institute, women hostel, battalion offices etc.
Women Safety Schemes of the Delhi Police has received Rs 19.75 crore in the current Budget. Provision of essential items and equipment to enhance the capability of the women police force for training and holding camps for Self-Defence Training in Schools & Colleges has been made.
“This will also increase awareness amongst public about the consequences of Crime against women and will also give more confidence in women etc,” Jaitley said.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been sanctioned Rs 114 crore for construction, expansion and Completion of additional corridors under Phase-3 of Delhi Metro.
Jaitley announced an increase in the outlays for all major hospitals and health institutions in the city with AIIMS being allocated Rs 3,018 crore, a hike of over 25 per cent from the last Budget. Jaitley allocated Rs 1,161.47 crore for the Safadrjung Hospital and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), the affiliate institution.
For the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and PGIMER college, the proposed outlay is Rs 562.49 crore compared to Rs 556.87 crore in the Budget for 2017-18. For Lady Hardinge Medical College and Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, it is Rs 410.74 crore vis-a-vis Rs 406.49 crore in the previous Budget. And, for Kalawati Saran Hospital it is Rs 111.81 crore.