Delhi Budget: “Capital will be Rs 1 lakh crore in debt in next five years”, alleges AAP

Bharadwaj said the government has again presented a budget of Rs 1.3 lakh crore, warning that it could add about Rs 23,000 crore to Delhi’s debt next year. He said that if this trend continues, the city could be left with around Rs 1 lakh crore in debt over five years. “This is like the saying: khaya piya kuch nahin aur gilaas toda barah aana (spent nothing, yet incurred needless loss),” he said.

Defending the Budget, Sood said, “The Municipal Corporation elections are scheduled for the coming year. Had the government so desired, it could have unleashed a flurry of populist announcements — proposals to make the Metro free, declarations of house tax waivers — much as previous governments have consistently done. However, this government chose not to take the easy path,” he said, adding that the government chose administrative reforms, stability and continuity.

The Minister highlighted that capital expenditure has risen to over Rs 32,000 crore, and said this would strengthen public assets such as schools, hospitals and transport while also generating employment.

To bolster his case, Sood also pointed to rising tax revenues – from Rs 55,000 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 68,700 crore in 2025-26 – and a reduction in the Capital’s debt from Rs 40,323 crore to Rs 23,557 crore. He said inflation had declined steadily, providing relief to residents of Delhi.

“A provision of Rs 9,000 crore has been made to strengthen water and sewage systems. In the transport sector, the expansion of electric vehicles (EV) buses to combat pollution, along with the provision of free bus services for women, will continue. Initiatives such as the ‘Rani Haat’ scheme and the distribution of bicycles to female students have been undertaken for the cause of women’s empowerment,” Sood said.