Govt for tough steps to bear cost of development

Both the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) are currently running into huge losses,particularly after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations were implemented. With the government also looking at pumping money for the infrastructure projects scheduled for completion before the 2010 Commonwealth Games,officials indicated that these ‘harsh’ steps might be taken up at the budget discussion in the week ahead and might force Delhiites to shell out more.

The government is likely to allocate increased funds for education,health and infrastructure-building projects in unauthorised colonies that are up for regularisation.

While Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had said last week that there is “a cost to the development”,indicating that the upcoming budget may include some tough measures,Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna’s budget indicated that the government would also be spending more on social welfare schemes this year.

Walia had earlier presented an interim budget in February,outlaying Rs 5,000 crore for a three-month period till June for 2009-10. He had also presented a regular budget of Rs 23,000 crore for 2009-2010 in the House and sought a vote-on-account to carry on business and meet the essential expenditure for three months of the next fiscal in view of the upcoming general elections.

As per figures provided by the Finance department,the government has managed to collect Rs 900 crore through stamps and registration fees against its target of Rs 1,620 crore in financial year 2008-09.

Also,the revised estimate for VAT collection was recorded at Rs 9,300 crore against the budget estimate of Rs 9,800 crore in 2008-09.

For the financial year 2009-10,the government estimates a collection of Rs 16,156 crore,which includes Rs 1,050 crore from stamps and registration fee,Rs 530 crore from taxes on vehicles,Rs 10,000 crore from VAT and Rs 2,570 crore from non-tax revenue.