Transport ahead, education follows

Cong packaged old projects as new, says BJP.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the budget announced on Wednesday had no vision for Delhi's future and accused the government of a lack of interest in developing the state.

BJP's state chief Vijay Goel said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who also holds the Finance portfolio, has repeated old projects in her budget speech to cover up for lack of new ones.

"Why have they recounted their performance of the last 15 years? They don't have a roadmap for Delhi's future and so they are trying to project old projects as new ones," he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V K Malhotra pointed out the government's claim they haven't increased or levied much taxes is deceptive as it has already hiked prices of services and commodities lately. "Power, water, stamp duty and circle rates were increased in previous months. We have been raising this issue for so long. Their claim that taxes have not been hiked is nothing but a fraud," Malhotra said.

The BJP said power and water supply is below standard and yet bills for these services are increasing, adding the government should have channeled budget funds to improve these services.

Residents' welfare associations termed it an "election budget".

Anil Bajpai of Delhi Residents Forum and RWA Federation, East Delhi, said, "Luring of Delhi RWAs by offering Rs 1 lakh for gym equipment is nothing but bribing the RWAs. Most of the RWAs in Delhi do not even have an office. Where will they keep the gym equipment?"

Move forward Rs 3,876 crore for transport

625 low-floor buses for DTC

1,100 semi low-floor buses for DTC

8,000 auto permits for corporates

1,000 auto permits for women drivers

Constituting for 24.23 per cent of the total budget outlay, transport sector allocation is mainly going to be used for funding projects which have been in the works for some time now. These include upgrade of ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar.

... contd.

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