Delhi Budget: Delhiites call for low taxes, good transport

Reducing VAT rates on essential commodities, better educational and health infrastructure, more focus on transportation and better security for women is all that the Delhiites are expecting from the Aam Aadmi Party government who will present its second budget in Delhi Assembly on Monday.

A majority of Delhiites this newspaper spoke to were of the view that there should be no enhancement of taxes on essential daily use items. Maanendra Singh, who works in a consulting firm said, “A common man expects a little relief from the budget with at least no enhancement of taxes on essential daily use items and most importantly some of them being shifted to 5 per cent VAT from 12.5 per cent. There are expectations to have higher allocation for health and education for the benefit of Aam Aadmi. In short, this budget is an opportunity for Delhi government to make a mark in life of its people and businesses for better.”

However, some people expressed a huge concern over the increase in CNG VAT, which might also increase the cost of public transport as the buses and autos would demand a hike in their charges.

There are some who feel transport, which plays an important factor today, would require huge outlays.

Pramod Akula, a resident of South Delhi, argued, “While transport is important today, education and teacher training require more attention. Transport requires huge outlays beyond a single 5-year plan. Besides two-tier roadway system, which will decongest traffic, the expenditures will not be able to tackle the crying pollution issue. The need is to build mass transit systems, manage congestion in underprivileged housing from poor sanitation point of view and protection for the poor.”

University student Nilay Rastogi said, “The promise of providing free wi-fi should be fulfilled along with spending more budget on women safety. Some good teachers should be recruited in government schools and the infrastructure must improve specially sanitation. More skill education and vocational courses should be introduced and the fees of schools should be reduced.”

Stressing on the need to improve hospital infrastructure and bringing more small clinics, Sunaina Mehra, a housewife said, “I expect the Delhi government to focus more on the hospital infrastructure since most hospitals lack beds, so more number of beds should be provided. More diagnostic centers with specialised doctors must be opened in every locality. Small clinics should be built where free medicines should be provided to the general public.”