Budget has nothing for middle-class, traders: Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Expressing disappointment over the General Budget, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday, alleged that the Centre was “continuing” with its “step-motherly” treatment towards the national capital. He said that he had expected some financial assistance for important infrastructure projects for the national capital. Later, he tweeted saying the budget has nothing for the middle class and the traders.

His deputy, Manish Sisodia, also expressed unhappiness over Delhi’s share in Central taxes and duties remaining unchanged, saying the BJP-led Centre treats Delhi residents as “second-grade citizens.” According to the government, Delhi’s share in the Central taxes has been kept at `325 crore, static since 2001-02.

Deputy chief minister  Sisodia further said that no plans or schemes have been announced for the Delhi police while the AAP government’s demand of special package for 2,000 electric buses, to combat air pollution, has also not been addressed.

“Delhi police comes under Centre. Yet no plans or schemes announced to tackle crime and issues of women safety that have made Delhi the crime capital of India (sic),” tweeted Mr Sisodia.

Mr Kejriwal said that land in Delhi comes under the Centre; despite this no plans have been announced for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and neither has more land been given to the Delhi government for building clinics, schools, hospitals, and bus depots.

“I had expected some financial assistance to important infrastructure projects for the national capital. Am disappointed that the Centre continues its step-motherly treatment of Delhi,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.

Mr Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, hit out at the Central government, saying it does not care for Delhi.

In a series of tweets, he expressed his displeasure over the budget in matters ranging from the absence of plans to regularise unauthorised colonies, to not allocating electric buses to reduce air pollution in the city. “Disappointing #Bud-get2018. Not a single extra rupee increased in Delhi’s share in Central taxes since 2001-02, stays at Rs 325 crore,” the deputy CM tweeted.