BJP blames deficit on govt welfare plans, Atishi retorts

New Delhi: Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been talking about running a surplus budget for the past several years, but the financial situation has worsened in recent years.
He stated the city's finances would fall into deficit by the end of 2024-25, with expenditure set to exceed its receipts.
He was referring to a TOI report which indicated that the city's finances may fall into deficit for the first time by the end of 2024-25, as informed by the finance department to CM.
Delhi's earnings — through tax and non-tax revenue, receipts under centrally sponsored schemes, and grants from the Centre — are projected to drop from the budgetary estimate of Rs 64,142 crore to Rs 62,415 crore by the end of FY25. Revenue expenditure is expected to rise from Rs 60,911 crore to Rs 63,911 crore. The city govt would require Rs 7,000 crore to complete its projects.
Sachdeva said: "The govt doesn't have liquid funds to fulfil the 2024-25 budget plans, and the situation is so bad that by Dec 2024, it might not even be able to pay its staff."
"The main reason for the budget deficit is the implementation of welfare schemes without sufficient economic resources," he said.
CM Atishi said: "BJP runs govts in 22 states. I challenge it to show us a single state where a govt is in profit."