| Cash-strapped Delhi govt seeks toll tax share | |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi November 05, 2009, 17:10 IST | |
Cash-strapped Delhi Government today sought a share in the toll tax collected by the border states from vehicles entering the national capital, arguing that the commuters have been using the road and parking facilities here.
"The neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have put up toll bridges on the borders, collecting toll from the cars entering here," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said during the launch of 'Climate Change Agenda for Delhi 2009-2012'.
"They are getting money but we don't get a share at all, even though the car users are utilising roads and parking facilities here," she added.
Citing poor financial position of the government exchequer in view of current economic slowdown, she said: "We need funds very badly. We have been able to sustain so far because of the boom in the economy. But the situation is different now."
Dikshit also blamed the poor monetary health of the economy to the expenditure on facilities for the people migrating to the capital in search of jobs as there were no opportunities available in their hometown.
"NCR cities like Gurgaon and Noida still have capacity to spread, but not Delhi which is presently facing acute anthropogenic pressure with at least 50 thousand people adding up to the population every year," Dikshit added.
The Chief minister said: "Delhi cannot sustain any more pressure. If this continues, I wonder, in this scenario will Delhi be able to contribute to tackle the climate change."
She urged the Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who was also present at the function, to ensure that Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) focuses on establishing basic facilities like hospitals and schools in the poor urban cities to prevent migration of the people.
The Chief Minister also suggested setting up of common economic zone in the NCR area to share the tax revenue.
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