Ahead of the union budget, Atishi, the Delhi Minister, has called for a minimum allocation of 5% of the Center’s over Rs 2 lakh crore income tax contribution for developing infrastructure in the national capital.
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Center of showing neglect towards the national capital, Atishi highlighted that Delhi did not receive any share of the tax income from the Center last year, despite its significant contribution.
In a statement to the press, the Aam Aadmi Party leader emphasized that Delhi is among the top contributors of income tax in the country. She stated that Delhi residents paid over Rs 2 lakh crore as income tax and Rs 25,000 crore in GST to the central government last year. However, in return, Delhi did not receive any share from the central government.
Highlighting the lack of financial support, Atishi pointed out that since 2001, the Delhi government has only received Rs 325 crore from the central pool of taxes, and even this payment was stopped last year.
Comparing the situation with other states, Atishi noted that Maharashtra received Rs 54,000 crore as tax share, and Karnataka received Rs 33,000 crore. She questioned why the BJP-ruled central government treats the honest taxpayers of Delhi in a discriminatory manner.
Atishi emphasized that the demand from Delhi is for a 5% allocation of the total tax, equivalent to ₹10,000 crore in the upcoming budget. She stated that this rightful allocation would contribute to furthering the development of Delhi and its residents.