Afew days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Mansih Sisodia met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pertaining to get due share in central taxes for the national Capital, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP’s) National convener gave fresh attempt with meeting 15th Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh and submitted a memorandum requesting recommendation of legitimate share.
Kejriwal along with Sisodia who also hold the portfolio of Finance minister requested for legitimate share in basic and performance grants to local bodies.
Presenting the case of Delhi, Kejriwal informed the NK Singh that the national Capital has been subjected to gross injustice since last two decades.
Kejriwal said that for the growth of the nation, Delhi gives Rs 1.75 lakh crore as income tax to the Centre. But, it gets back only Rs 325 crore from the Centre for its own growth. Centre should invest more in Delhi so that economic activities could grow in the national Capital.
“Till the year 2000, the Constitution of India provided for money for Delhi in line with what the other States were getting. However, in the year 2000, the Constitution was amended and Delhi was removed from the list. Nothing can be done about what happened then. But what happened as a result was Delhi ceased of getting money from the Centre. This is injustice with Delhi,” the Chief Minister said.
Kejriwal stated,”Our request to the Finance Commission is that Delhi should also get funds for development like other states of the country receive from the Centre. Finance Commission decides on how much of funds should be given to a particular state and thus we have made a request with them. We have asked them to give Delhi its due. We believe that if the formula of post-the year 2000 is implemented, Delhi will get Rs 6000 crore annually.”
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Finance Commission and the Chief Secretary of Delhi Vijay Dev and Finance Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary Renu Sharma.