During the budget discussion in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of weakening the capital’s financial position over the past ten years. She stated that the previous government left behind loans, deficits, and incomplete projects, and alleged that it pushed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Delhi Jal Board into heavy losses.
Gupta said that instead of working for Delhi, the AAP government increased the burden of debt and interest. She added that incomplete projects and pending liabilities hindered the capital’s development.
Referring to fuel prices, Gupta thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stated that the reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, amid global conflict and rising oil prices, provided relief to the public. She said her government is operating with planning rather than panic.
Speaking on road development, Gupta criticised the opposition, stating that instead of sitting in the House and offering suggestions, it is sitting on the streets, while her government is working to build better roads for residents.
Gupta stated that the AAP government took loans of approximately Rs 47,000 crore over the past decade and paid interest at 9 percent. In contrast, she said her government secured loans at an interest rate of 7.4 percent. She added that her government has cleared pending liabilities left by the previous administration, including Rs 3,700 crore for expressways and Rs 2,700 crore for metro projects. She stated that interest payments are more significant than borrowing itself and said AAP’s pending liabilities became a burden on Delhi’s finances.
The Chief Minister said that hospitals and schools were left incomplete by the previous government. She also stated that dues related to the EWS quota, payments to athletes, Rs 250 crore for the Barapullah project, and Rs 48 crore under the EV policy were pending. She said that payments for gaushalas and the Jai Bhim scheme have now been released by her government.
Gupta stated that incomplete projects and pending payments by the previous government were obstacles to development and said her government is addressing these issues by clearing dues.
On public institutions, Gupta stated that the AAP government pushed DTC into losses of Rs 99,000 crore and the Delhi Jal Board into losses of Rs 91,000 crore. She alleged that the previous administration did not take steps to prevent these losses. She said her government is working to improve the financial condition of these institutions and reduce deficits.
Gupta also criticised Arvind Kejriwal, describing him as a ‘TB’ for Delhi and alleging that he hindered the city’s growth. She said her government is working to improve Delhi and place it on a path of development.
Presenting the budget, Gupta described it as having the highest capital expenditure to date. She stated that her government will focus on development rather than free provisions and that the education department has received the highest allocation.
Gupta questioned AAP’s education model, stating that the number of students in schools declined during its tenure. She announced a scheme to provide bicycles to girls to prevent school dropouts and alleged that AAP is attempting to politicise the initiative.
