AAP Government Accuses BJP of Economic Injustice Against Delhiites

The AAP government has accused the BJP-led Central Government of shortchanging Delhi residents, claiming that despite contributing Rs 15.59 lakh crore in income tax over 10 years, they received only Rs 7,534 crore in budget allocations. Finance Minister Atishi labeled this as economic oppression akin to colonial exploitation.

The AAP government accused the BJP-led Central government on Thursday of 'deceiving' Delhiites, asserting that the city's residents contributed Rs 15.59 lakh crore in income tax over the past decade but received just Rs 7,534 crore in budgetary allocations in return, less than one percent of what they paid.

'Why is the BJP-ruled central government doing this injustice to Delhiites? Why don't people of Delhi get their rightful funds?' Finance Minister Atishi questioned during a press conference. She accused the Central government of oppressing Delhi's residents. 'Just like the British used to take the money of Indians and gave nothing in return but crumbs, today, the BJP central government is doing the same with Delhiites.'

Atishi noted that Delhi contributed Rs 2.07 lakh crore in income tax in 2023-24 alone, urging that at least five percent, or Rs 10,000 crore, should be allocated for Delhi’s infrastructure development. However, she said the state received nothing as a tax share. Challenging claims from BJP leaders that Delhi receives substantial budgetary support, she presented data showing that Delhi received only Rs 1,168 crores in 2023-24, not even 0.4 percent of the tax paid.