Even as the Budget Session 2013-2104 of the Delhi Assembly is set to start less than a fortnight away, the city government has been able to spend around 50 per cent of the last year’s budget’s planned expenditure.
Last year, chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who also holds the finance portfolio, had announced a total budget of `33,436 crores out of which `18,286 crores was announced as non-planned expenditure. Ms Dikshit admitted that the planned expenditure of her government was not good.
“The planned expenditure was not good, however, the non-planned expenditure was very good this year. The launch of 181 helpline has been made from the non-planned expenditure which had cost a lot of money,” she said. When asked whether the remaining fund of the last budget will be utilised, she assured that the government will try to spent the funds before the next budget.
“Its true that we spent 50 per cent of the funds. However, we will try to utilise the rest of the funds within a month,” she told reporters here.
When asked about the upcoming budget, she said that the government will emphasise on IT and e-governance.
She further said that apart from e-governance, the government will also concentrate on social sector, flyovers, metro, buses, education and transport.
Ms Dikshit complimented top officials of her administration for working “diligently” despite facing “lot of difficulties” from the Union home ministry.
The chief minister was addressing officials at a function to mark the completion of 14th year of her government in Delhi.
“We are facing lot of difficulties from the home ministry. I know you are working under pressure. But still you have been doing a good job,” Ms Dikshit said.
The government also released “Working Report 2012”. When asked about the upcoming Assembly elections, Ms Dikshit appeared confident of a fourth consecutive victory.