Budget 2015: Centre allocates Rs 395 crore assistance to Delhi

NEW DELHI: NDA government today allocated Rs 395 crore to Delhi government for 2015-16 as central assistance which is 21 per cent increase compared to the current fiscal.

The non-plan grant for share in central taxes and duties of Delhi has been proposed at Rs 325 crore for the coming financial year.

The normal assistance of Rs 394.99 crore was an increase Rs 69.99 crore compared to allocation for 2014-15.

The non-plan grant for share in central taxes for Delhi has been kept stagnant at Rs 325 crore since 2001-02.

"The logic for keeping Delhi's non-plan grant stagnant since last 14 years has not been explained till date," Delhi government said reacting to the budgetary allocation.

The Union government did not extend any other grant to Delhi except some allocation under Urban Development Ministry.

In the last budget in July, the central government had made a provision of Rs 500 crore for reforms in the water sector and Rs 200 crore for electricity sector in Delhi.

There is no mention of any such provision in this year's budget.

The city has been facing long power cuts during the peak summer months in the last few years despite adequate availability of power. Major power transmission lines often trip when the load increases.

Water scarcity is also major issue in many areas and though Delhi government has drawn up plans to streamline the water distribution system, fund crunch had affected implementation of various projects.

The AAP government had already announced that water and power would be major focus area for it.