Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, said that the budget had been delayed by the federal government on the eve of its presentation to the Delhi legislature. the Aam Admi Party (AAP) accused Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of collaborating with the federal government to sabotage the city’s annual budget process. The AAP also questioned Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena whether he would dismiss Kumar from his position.
Why there is a tussle with the central government?
After the lieutenant governor (L-G) voiced administrative issues, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on yesterday that it has requested the Delhi government to resubmit the Delhi Budget. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, recently attacked the federal government, alleging that they had delayed the budget presentation on the eve of its presentation.
The MHA stated in a statement that it had received the Delhi budget as well as the second and last batch of supplementary demands for the fiscal year 2022–2023 for the prior approval of the President to lay it before the legislative assembly.
What is AAP stand on tussle?
Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief spokesperson for the AAP and a member of the Delhi cabinet, claimed that the chief secretary had ignored a letter from the Government requesting information about the proposed Delhi Budget for 2023–24 for three days, from March 17 to March 20.
According to him, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) returned the budget paper to the chief secretary on March 17 along with certain questions after receiving it from the federal government on March 10.
The elected official by the central govt did not receive the file.
The home ministry noted that the Delhi government has been waiting for four days for a response. “The Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, had raised certain administrative concerns on the proposed Budget, keeping in mind the fiscal interest of the National Capital Territory on which MHA vide its letter dated 17.03.2023 has requested GNCTD to resubmit the Budget addressing these concerns for taking further action,” the ministry said.
What did the national convener Kejriwal say on the issue?
Kejriwal said that the Centre had delayed the Delhi government’s budget, which was supposed to be presented to the assembly. He further said “You’ll be startled to learn of something that has never occurred in Indian history. The Delhi government will deliver its budget to the Assembly. Our budget for Monday evening has been postponed by the Center. Tomorrow’s pay for physicians, teachers, and government officials in Delhi will not be paid.
