Delhi budget runs into trouble as Kejriwal govt doubles ad allocation and goes low on infra

The Union home ministry has said that a reply from the Arvind Kejriwal-led government on the Delhi budget is “awaited for the last four days” over some concerns regarding fiscal interest as the ad allocation has been doubled and the outlay for infrastructure was not adequate. 

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena had raised some concerns regarding fiscal interest. While the action sought should be immediate, the AAP government is yet to submit its reply, the ministry stated.

“The AAP government is known to splurge massive amounts on ads and the allocation has now been hiked to an unprecedented Rs 550 crore,” an official said.

The Union home ministry’s statement comes after CM Kejriwal, speaking at a News 18 event said that it was for the first time in the history of the country that a budget of a government was put on hold. A video clip of his speech, accusing the Centre of “gundagardi” was also tweeted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the draft budget had only 20% allocation for capital expenditure, which is inadequate for Delhi since it is the national capital.

“Kejriwal government has doubled expenditure on advertising in the last two years. And hence, the L-G sought a clarification on it. L-G has also sought to know why benefits for central government schemes like ‘Ayushman Bharat’ were being denied to Delhiites,” the sources added.