Delhi is growing faster. Delhiites are earning more, paying less for electricity and breathing cleaner air. Though the density of cars is ten times the national average in the Capital, the concentration of toxic gases like sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide has actually gone down over the last few years. Delhiites also spend more on education and healthcare. The only thing Delhi is short of is water.

All these facts — and more — as outlined below, are the findings of the Economic Survey of Delhi, released by Finance and Planning Minister A K Walia in the Assembly on Friday.

Per capita income
The survey states Delhi’s per capita income is Rs 78,690 in 2007-08 as compared to Rs 70,238 in 2006-07 and Rs 60,951 in 2005-06. The good news is that the present per capita income is double the national average.

In the year 2007-08, Delhi’s state income grew at 12.5 per cent against the national growth of nine per cent.

The percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index — at seven per cent — is the least among all four metros in 2008.

Health
Delhi’s per capita expenditure on health is Rs 685 against the all-India expenditure of Rs 260 per annum. Unfortunately, the number of beds per thousand in Delhi has recorded a meagre increase from 2.04 in 2006 to 2.14 in 2008.

Heart ailments (15,442) and diabetes (3,920) happen to be the biggest killers in the city.

Electricity
Delhi has a total consumer base of 33.30 lakh, 47 per cent being domestic consumers compared to 26 per cent commercial users. Streetlights and public utilities consume about three per cent.

... contd.