Economic survey records 22% increase in Delhi’s per capita income in 2 years; growth despite Centre, L-G: Atishi

She said, “The last year has been one when every attempt was made (by the Centre) to stop the functioning of (CM Arvind) Kejriwal government… but this survey is pure data and data does not lie… No matter how many letters L-G sir writes to the CM, abuse him by saying he did not do any work, this data will not lie…”

Accusing the central government of trying to stop various works and schemes, Atishi said, “…I want the Central government and his L-G government to know that Kejriwal rukega nahi, Kerjiwal jhukega nahi aur jab tak Arvind Kerjiwal Delhi ke mukhyamantri hai, Delhi ka vikas rukega nahi… (Arvind Kejriwal will neither stop nor bow down. And as long as he is the chief minister, the development of Delhi won’t stop either.)”

Atishi said the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Delhi at current prices during 2023-24 is likely to reach Rs 11.07 crore — at a growth of 9.17% over 2022-23 when it was Rs 10.14 crore.

The budget for 2024-25 will be presented on March 4.

Delhi’s speed of recovering from economic slump after Covid has been highest in comparison to any other state, Atishi said, adding that the city’s GSDP grew at 8.76% in 2021-22 and 7.85% in 2022-23 post-Covid.

The minister told the House that even as inflation and unemployment is “the biggest problem in the country”, the national capital’s inflation rate was lesser as compared to the national figure: From January to December 2023, the rate was 2.81% against the national rate of 5.65%. She further said that the unemployment rate in Delhi has reduced from 6.3% in 2020-21 to 1.9% in 2022-23.

According to the report, tax collection has grown at 18% in 2022-23 (provisional) as compared to the growth of 36% in 2021-22. Further, Delhi’s tax revenue, which includes the receipts under GST (including Other Taxes and duties on Commodities and Services), Value Added Tax (VAT), Stamps and Registration Fees, State Excise and Motor Vehicle Tax, has together accounted for 75.53% of the state government’s total revenue receipts.

Calling the central government as “the government of borrowing”, the minister said outstanding debt of the Delhi government has declined and is “well under control”.

The minister said that despite providing free electricity, water, bus tickets and other facilities, Delhi has maintained its consistent Revenue Surplus; it increased to Rs 14457 crore during 2022-23 (Provisional) as compared to Rs 3270 crore in 2021-22. The city’s revenue surplus was 1.42% of GSDP during 2022-23 and 0.52% during 2023-24 (Budget Estimate).

The minister further shared that the peak demand for electricity increased from 5,653 megawatts in 2013-14 to 7,695 MW in 2022-23. “There are no power cuts in Delhi…the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses reduced from approximately 16% in 2012-13 to 6.42% in 2022-23…in the same year, nearly 3.41 crore electricity bills with a value of 0 were generated to consumers.”

Dismissing Atishi’s claims, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, “Through the Economic Survey, finance minister Atishi tried to establish that there is no inflation and unemployment, and progress is happening in Delhi… I want to ask her how many jobs have been provided in Delhi? You say you provide free electricity and water but how many tenants are getting free water and electricity? Delhi people have clearly understood your number games…”