New Delhi: Finance Minister Kailash Gehlot, who was given the charge of the department following the resignation of Manish Sisodia, presented the new Delhi budget on Wednesday (March 22, 2023). Presenting the budget in the Delhi Assembly, Gehlot said that he would have been more happy if Sisodia had presented the budget. Describing the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister as his “elder brother”, Gehlot said he was sure that the wishes of children across the world are with Sisodia, who has been arrested by the CBI in the Delhi Excise Policy scam case. Sisodia had been presenting the budget of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ever since the party came to power in the national capital.
Presenting Delhi’s ninth budget, Gehlot said, “Delhi Metro’s network doubled between 2015-23. Today the number of buses has increased to 7,379, which is the highest. Today the government has made Delhi a tricolor city.” Is.” Government.
He said that the upcoming budget is important for Delhi as we are hosting the G20.
“Hence this budget is dedicated to a clean, beautiful and modern Delhi,” the senior AAP leader said.
Presenting Delhi Government’s Budget 2023-24. Live https://t.co/orGcdRlfLaKailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) March 22, 2023
today’s budget @ArvindKejriwal It is the result of ji’s work, honest intention and determination to make Delhi clean and modern.
Along with taking forward the education-health revolution, this budget will establish Delhi as a model of world-class roads and beauty in the coming years. pic.twitter.com/s7yAHuMWfmKailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) March 22, 2023
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Delhiites were “missing” Manish Sisodia on the day of the budget presentation. The AAP chief asserted that the works started by the former minister would be carried forward with double the speed.
In a tweet, Kejriwal said, “Today Delhi’s budget will be presented. Delhiites are missing Manish ji a lot today. But the work started by him will not stop. The work done by him will be taken forward at double the speed.” ”
Delhi’s budget will be presented today. Everyone in Delhi is missing Manish ji a lot today. But will not let their work stop. All the work started by him will be done with double speed. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 22, 2023
Delhi budget presented amid war of words between AAP-BJP over Home Ministry’s nod
Delhi’s budget was to be presented in the Assembly on Tuesday but the AAP government could not do so after the Home Ministry sought clarification on allocation of funds for infrastructure and advertisements.
The Union home ministry on Tuesday cleared Delhi’s budget after the AAP government’s clarification, paving the way for its presentation in the assembly.
However, a furious Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the Center alleging that it withheld the budget to satisfy ego.
Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, he alleged that the Centre’s objection was a departure from tradition and an attack on the Constitution.
The Chief Minister said, “The Delhi government wants to work, not fight. We are tired of fighting and it does not help anyone. We want to work together with the Prime Minister, we do not want any quarrel.”
His party said March 21 was a “black day” as an elected government was “prevented” from presenting the budget.
better late than never. The central government passed our budget. You would have already passed, what was the need to create so much fuss? https://t.co/mqERayClsx
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 21, 2023
The BJP, on the other hand, said the Kejriwal government sat on the clarification sought by the Home Ministry for three days and then accused the Center of seeking “cheap popularity”.
The saffron party also accused the chief minister of creating a controversy over the city government’s budget for “cheap publicity” and hiding his mistakes.