New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal governmet may seem to be in denial over Coronavirus pandemic taking a toll on city’s health, but the numbers speak for themselves. Like Mumbai, Delhi too is running short of Covid beds if not running out of it as number of fresh cases continue to spike on daily basis.
On economic grounds, the AAP govt has time and again boasted of its micromanagement, making claims of huge cash reserves to ensure that people get basic facilities for free or at minimum cost. It talked about a successful governance model ensuring basic amenities to citizens at no cost or at highly subsidized rates.
AAP govt faces cash crunch
But’s its tall claims seem to be falling apart. Delhi government today sought financial assistance from the Centre upto Rs 5,000 crore to pay salaries to its employees.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, said he has requested for the Rs 5,000 crore assistance from FM Sitharaman, in a letter written to her.
He also tweeted, “Due to Coronavirus and lockdown the tax- collection of the Delhi government is down by 85 per cent. While, Delhi did not get anything from the disaster relief fund that was given to other states by the Centre.”
Later, in a tweet, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “I request the Central government to help the people of Delhi in this time of trouble”.
Delhi needs Rs 3,500 crore a month to pay its employees’ salaries and meet other needs.
BJP’s sharp retort to Kejriwal, Vishwas takes jibe
Delhi BJP chief tore into Kejriwal government for demanding such financial assistance from the Centre.
“Modi govt is transferring money directly into accounts of beneficiaries. Kejriwal is so disturbed over this fact that he asked his Finance Minister to seek Rs 5,000 crore assistance from Centre,” Manoj Tiwari wrote in sharply worded tweet.
690 करोड़ जनधन खाते में सीधा
836 करोड़ के मुफ़्त सिलेंडर
243 करोड़ दिव्यांग, विधवा महिलाएँ व sr citizens को दिए768 करोड़ का राशन, जो आप बाँट ना पाए@ArvindKejriwal जी विज्ञापन खर्च के लिए पैसा माँग रहे हो क्या? #DelhiShouldKnow
(40 घंटे से आपके खर्चे के हिसाब के इंतेज़ार में) https://t.co/LSNeAMpquI pic.twitter.com/gpU0360OME
— Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) May 31, 2020
Tiwari also questioned the AAP govt on why it is not disclosing expenditures on Covid beds and ventilators.
Kumar Vishwas also took a jibe at the Kejriwal govt for its ostentatious claims on governance but running short of money when it comes to basic needs.
