New Delhi: Delhi government’s budget, which was scheduled to be tabled in assembly on Tuesday, will not be presented as the Ministry of Home Affairs has put it on hold, claim sources in the Delhi government.
Sources said that the budget was sent for MHA’s approval as per regular practice in advance on March 10. It was not learned that MHA had expressed some concerns on Delhi’s budget and did not give approval through a letter sent on March 17. However, sources in MHA said that the budget has not been stopped but some concerns have been raised in the budget.
The MHA’s concerns have been responded and submitted the file back to Delhi’s LG after Chief Minister’s approval at 9 pm on Monday, sources claimed.
Sources said if approval is received by Tuesday morning, the budget may be presented as per schedule.
Reacting to this issue, Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted and claimed, “For the first time in India’s history, the MHA has stopped the Delhi government from presenting its annual budget tomorrow. The budget was sent for MHA’s approval well in advance on 10th March. However, the file with MHA’s concerns was put up to me only at 6 pm today.”
“We have responded to MHA’s concerns and submitted the file back to Delhi’s LG, after CM’s approval, at 9 pm today. It’s very clear that the concerns raised by MHA are irrelevant & seemingly done only to scuttle Delhi govt’s budget for next year,” Gahlot tweeted and claimed it.
