The
present Congress government's last budget, presented in the
Assembly by Finance Minister A K Walia, has also laid emphasis
on the social and infrastructure sectors.
Presenting
the budget amidst the din created by the opposition over the
issues of rising prices of essential commodities, Walia said
Delhi can boast of good revenue earnings.
"...under
the present circumstances, I do not see any need for
imposition of any new tax in this budget," he said.
The
government has decided to waive old, irrecoverable power
arrears dating back to the pre-discom period and amounting to
Rs 1,530 crore of claims and Rs 1,009 crore of late payment
surcharge.
Moreover,
the government will also continue to give power subsidy to
domestic and agricultural consumers.
Touching
upon the crucial issue of price rise, Walia said the rates are
lowest in the capital compared to the same in other cities.
The Government will continue to give subsidy on arhahr dal and
chana to the economically-weaker sections.
Giving
a boost to the social sector, the Budget has allocated more
funds for schemes for the unemployed disabled, senior citizens
and widows.
Besides,
a new pension scheme for eminent literary personalities will
also be launched in the coming financial year.
