Budget makes Delhi pay for Commonwealth Games

Delhiites will have to shell out more from their pockets for virtually everything from cooking gas to diesel with the state government today withdrawing its subsidy on LPG and increasing VAT on many items to "generate" additional revenue.

Presenting the budget amid vociferous protests by the opposition BJP, finance minister AK Walia announced the withdrawal of the Rs40 subsidy on LPG cylinders for domestic consumers. He also announced an increase in the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel and CNG.

Walia also proposed an increase in VAT on various items like desi ghee, household plastic goods, kerosene stoves, wood, inverters, tea, coffee locks, lanterns, fertilisers, and all utensils and cutlery items, including pressure cookers and pans.

With an increase in the VAT to 20% from the existing 12.5%, diesel will now cost Rs35.29 per litre in the capital. At present, it costs Rs32.92 per litre.

With the withdrawal of subsidy on LPG, a cooking gas cylinder in the national capital region will now cost Rs322.80 from the earlier cost of Rs281.20.

A 5% tax has been imposed on compressed natural gas (CNG), the fuel used for public transport like buses and autorickshaws. At present, there is no VAT on CNG.

By doing this, the Delhi government plans to raise an amount of Rs1,100 crore for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the state later this year.

Noting that there has been an increase in expenditure in the last two years on projects and schemes related to the Commonwealth Games, Walia said, "Our revenue collection through taxes has not been adequate due to recession. Therefore, it has becomeessential to look for measures to generate additional revenue to sustain development."

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit, however, Indicated that in case the city government received additional funds from the Centre to meet the needs of the Games, "we would be happy to pass it on to the residents".

Presenting a Rs26,000 crore budget, Walia said the highest allocation went to the transport sector, which has been given Rs4,224 crore as against last budget's allocation of Rs3,069 crore.

Opposition BJP MLAs were on their feet as soon as Walia announced the increase in VAT rates. They staged a walkout when Walia announced the withdrawal of subsidy on LPG cylinders.

Leader of the opposition VK Malhotra later told reporters that the BJP is planning an agitation against the increase in VAT rates.

"The government has betrayed the trust of its residents," Malhotra said. "We are planning to launch an agitation as well as gherao the assembly."

Walia said 1,475 more low-floor buses will be purchased before August for which Rs675 crore have been allocated. Walia also announced the launch of a GPS-based vehicle-tracking system to make an online bus information system operational.

The state-run Delhi Transport Corporation will also introduce special non-stop services on 50 important routes.

Claiming that the retail prices of food items in the capital were the lowest as compared to other metros like Mumbai and Chennai, Walia said as against an increase of 12% in Mumbai and 15% in Chennai, the capital has registered an escalation in prices by 11.3% only.

He also noted that there was an increase of 6.85% on the tax collection front as compared to last fiscal. "The current year's revised target of tax revenue is Rs13,174 crore, which is 8% higher than the previous year. Next year's target tax revenue is Rs15,582.50 crore with a growth of about 18% over the current year," he said.

The government has also set aside Rs749 crore in the budget for development of basic services in the unauthorised colonies. It has already invested Rs2,851 crore in these colonies.

The old age pension scheme will be extended to 3.5 lakh people from the existing 2.5 lakh. Besides, the government has allocated Rs46 crore for giving pension to widows.

In the budget, Walia also proposed to set up three 200-bed hospitals at Vikaspuri, Burari, and Ambedkar Nagar and another 750-bed hospital at Dwarka.

Making an allocation of Rs1,112 crore for education, which is 10% of the total outlay, Walia said that construction of 17 school buildings will be started in the next fiscal.

He also announced an increase in the subsidy given to students for uniforms. "Now Rs500 per annum will be given to girl students of MCD primary schools at par with students of government schools," he said. "Similarly, Rs700 will be given to students of Class VI-XII of Delhi government and government-aided schools."

About 26 lakh students will benefit from this move, he said. Walia also proposed to enhance a scholarship by Rs50 to promote enrolment in schools.

On the industrial sector, he said, two special economic zones will be set up in the city — one in IT and IT-enabled services and the second in gems and jewellery — at a cost of Rs890 crore.

Walia also presented a rosy picture on the power front, saying the capital will be a power-surplus state in 2010-11. He allocated Rs110.80 crore for the sector.

In the housing sector, he said the government has already constructed 8,000 flats and they will be alloted to the residents of slum clusters soon.

"In addition, 7,000 flats are under construction at Baprola, Bawana, and Ghogha," he said.

The government has also allocated Rs476 crore for the social welfare sector. Walia said construction of a special ward in Ambedkar Hospital would begin soon.

The registration fee charged on various documents under the Indian Registration Act has also been increased to Rs500 from the existing Rs100 and the government expects an additional revenue of Rs6 crore from it.

LPG hike will lessen CWG burden: Shiela

Delhi Chief Minister on Monday said they had "no option" but to "slightly burden" the people to recover losses suffered in carrying out major infrastructure development projects for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in the capital.

Delhi government on Monday announced a hike in LPG cylinder prices by Rs.40.

"The subsidy was given for LPG when the inflation rate was very high. A lot have been spend on the infrastructure in the wake of the Commonwealth Games," she told reporters in New Delhi after the budget.

Delhi government has spent nearly Rs.15,000 crore on various Commonwealth Games related projects.

"There has been a lot of developmental work in the city and more to happen. A lot more money is needed and the government has no option but to slightly burden the people to incur the losses," she said.

"The standard of living has increased, so we think that the people will be able to afford the hike. I think the budget is a very development oriented and realistic. This year a lot of money has been spent on the infrastructure, from next year onwards we will concentrate more on the social sector," she added.

Dikshit said there has been no compromise in the education sector and even the health sector has not been touched.

"The prices of medicines and other necessary items have been kept intact. The prices of mobiles have been increased but this hike is directed to those who can afford it," she said.

There has been a widespread development - beautification, flyovers, street scaping, foot over bridges, roads, signages, public transport and health facilities - in the city for Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3-14.

No beef during Commonwealth Games: Delhi govt

Putting to rest the controversy over serving of beef during Commonwealth Games, Delhi government today said it will not allow serving of the food item during the sporting event as it is prohibited in Delhi.

PWD and Revenue Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan made a statement to this effect in Delhi Assembly, days after the issue of serving beef during Commonwealth Games rocked the House with BJP MLAs disrupting its functioning.

"The Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994 prohibits the sale and storage of beef and so will not allow serving of beef during the Commonwealth Games," Chauhan informed the Assembly.

On Friday, the issue was raised during 'discussion under special mention' by Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra who said Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta had made a statement that beef will be imported during the event to serve athletes and officials.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit then said that the serving of beef was an issue between Organising Committee of the event, the caterers and MCD and her government had nothing to do with it.

She said that Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta has only made it clear that it was for the MCD to decide on the matter.

The Opposition had expressed serious objection to her statement and asked how could the Chief Minister "shy away from enforcement of the legislation passed unanimously by the Assembly".

She also said the BJP was raising the issue as they were trying to make political capital out of it and that they were "communal minded".

Meanwhile, Speaker Yoganand Shastri accepted a privilege motion against the Chief Minister and Congress MLA Subhash Sachdev on the issue of serving of beef.

Shastri said he has received a privilege notice against Dikshit and the MLA and it has been accepted.

A notice will be issued to both seeking their explanation in the matter.

Delhi speaker admits privilege motion against Sheila Dikshit

Delhi speaker Yoganand Shastri today admitted a privilege motion against chief minister Sheila Dikshit on the issue of serving beef during Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The motion against a congress MLA Subhash Sachdeva was also admitted by the Speaker on a petition filed by opposition BJP.

Shastri said he has received a privilege notice against Dikshit and the MLA on the issue.

A notice will be issued to both seeking their explanation in the matter.

Dikshit had on Friday told the assembly that serving of beef is an issue between organising committee of the event, the caterers and MCD and her government has nothing to do with it.

Her clarification came after leader of opposition VK Malhotra raised the issue in the assembly.

However, today the government put at rest the controversy over serving of beef during Commonwealth Games, saying it will not allow serving of the food item during the sporting event as it is prohibited in India.

"The Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994 prohibits the sale and storage of beef and so will not allow serving of beef during the Commonwealth Games," PWD and revenue minister Rajkumar Chauhan informed the assembly.

Delhi paints for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010

Satish Gujral and Jatin Das along with several artists paint a kaleidoscopic canvas for India’s first Green Games. 200-foot canvas and kites greet ‘200-Days-to-Go’ milestone moment.

It was a milestone event. Hundreds of sports lovers had besieged the India gate lawns to paint their heart out for the success of the Commonwealth Games beginning from 3 October.

Led by eminent painters Satish Gujral and Jatin Das, Delhi-ites painted a 200-foot long canvas to mark the milestone event ‘200 Days-to-Go’ for the Games. Green Games was the underlined theme for the paintings on the 200-foot long canvas. Satish Gujral stroked the first brush on the canvas inaugurating the gala celebrations.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi said "As we get closer to the

start of the Games, our sense of anticipation and excitement as well as our confidence that we can deliver the best Games ever grows."

"I take this opportunity to renew our commitment to producing a successful Games. The 200 day-to-go milestone event marks the appreciation to the spirit of the games amongst the people of Delhi and the whole nation. The 200-foot canvas that is being painted by eminent cultural personalities of Delhi will be put on display at a suitable place during the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010," he further added.

“I consider it a great occasion for the country and I am happy and proud to be part of the Games,” said the illustrious painter, Satish Gujral as he lend his masterstroke to inaugurate the milestone event.

On the occasion of World Forestry Day, the Sustainability and Environment Functional Area organised a plant distribution ceremony where 3000 plant saplings were distributed to the public and eminent guests. The objective of this campaign was to encourage the citizens of Delhi to plant trees and also to nurture it. On the eve of the World Water Day, a ‘Signature Campaign’ was arranged to develop a sense of ownership towards the environment and water conversation. Jute bags were also distributed to spectators in order to encourage the use of eco-friendly materials over plastic bags.

Several artists, budding painters as well as children participated in large numbers. Their colourful brush strokes brought to life the 200ft canvas which saw a rich kaleidoscope of themes and representations of what the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi mean for each and every Delhi-ite.

Painter, Prem Singh through his painting tried to communicate that, “Sports Unite - That is what mankind aspires.” Painter Shruti Gupta Chandra said, “I am very proud to have participated in this event. This is a great platform to express what the Commonwealth Games signify to each one of us and the tremendous turn-out stands proof of this.”

The days celebrations at the India Gate lawns culminated with a Kite Flying festival where 200 kites of various shapes and sizes packed the sky The kites that were designed to portray the Delhi 2010 look and carrying the slogan 200-days-to-go were flown by the citizens of Delhi and professional kite flyers, finally marked the culmination of the day-long event.

Airtel Digital, Dish TV to launch HD service this year

DTH operators Airtel Digital and Dish TV today said they will launch their high definition (HD) services this year, in time for the Commonwealth Games.

While Bharti Airtel's DTH venture will launch the HD service, which offers better picture and sound quality compared to the regular service, before the games, Dish TV plans to launch its service in the first quarter of next fiscal.

"We will launch our (HD) service definitely before the Commonwealth Games," Bharti Airtel Chief Marketing Officer (DTH) Sugato Banerji told reporters on the sidelines of CASBAA India Satellite Industry Forum 2010.

The service would be charged at a premium over the normal DTH services, he added.

Dish TV Chief Operating Officer Salil Kapoor said, "We are currently evaluating the market and would launch the HD service in the first quarter of next fiscal."

Mind your pees & queues for the Delhi Games

With just six months to go before India hosts the Commonwealth Games, some are already wondering whether New Delhi is loo-ready for the sporting extravaganza.The capital is preparing to host more than 100,000 foreign visitors for the October Games, seen as an opportunity to show off the city as a major global destination.

Authorities have started worrying about the thousands of tourists — especially when it comes to answering the call of nature.

The sight of people urinating by the roadside is so common that residents turn a blind eye to the problem. But it’s not the lasting memory of New Delhi the city’s tourism department wants to give visitors.

To make it easier on the bladder, authorities will soon launch a Delhi “loo-map“, one that will inform tourists where public toilets are located.

The city municipality has also unveiled plans to construct 300 public toilets before the Games. And squeaky-clean ones at that. The loos are to be built in partnership with fast-food chains which will run them and woo customers.

Unfortunately, more restrooms and better sanitation is just one solution. Critics say the problem is poor civic sense and not just a lack of public urinals.

Delhi 2010 Commonwealth GamesJust a few months ago, Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said Delhi residents need an “attitude makeover” if they wanted to prove themselves good hosts for the Commonwealth Games.

Delhi is infamous for ignoring queues, leaving garbage in the street and road rage.

Authorities do want to give it a makeover, one that also involves no urinating or spitting in public by its residents.

Taxi and rickshaw drivers are being trained to be courteous by the tourism ministry. As for the rest, the government is coming up with a list of dos and don’ts which will turn New Delhi into a “sophisticated city“.