New Delhi: Delhi's finance minister AK Walia on Monday presented a 'thank you' budget to people for voting the Congress to power for the third consecutive term in the state, retaining the tax structure unchanged, except on tobacco products, and unveiling several new infrastructure projects ahead of Commonwealth Games 2010.
"The people really deserved a friendly budget. The city government has expressed its gratitude to the people for reposing their faith in the government consecutively for the third time. It would fulfil expectations of each and every citizen of Delhi," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters after the budget was presented in the assembly.
"We hope that this budget would help in accelerating ongoing projects relating to the Commonwealth Games and further improve the quality of life. Housewives would be very happy as no change has been made in ongoing subsidy in LPG," she said.
The only increase was on tobacco products, where the value added tax was raised from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent.
"The Delhi government has enhanced tax only on tobacco with an aim to make it a smoke-free city," Dikshit added.
According to Walia, the budget was focused more on infrastructure development, transport and social welfare.
However, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called the budget "anti-people" and said there were "several hidden aspects" to it.
"It is totally against people and a complete hogwash. To avoid a public hue and cry, the government has avoided any new taxes but people of Delhi should expect them very soon," said Leader of Opposition VK Malhotra.
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