Growth-oriented Budget: Dikshit

Hailing the Union Budget as growth oriented, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today thanked Centre for approving the third phase expansion of the metro network in the city and allocating Rs 1,351 crore as budgetary support for it.

Dikshit also welcomed the decision to raise the income tax exemption limit for general tax payers to Rs 1.80 lakh per annum from Rs 1.60 lakh which will leave at least Rs 2,000 more in the hands of tax payers across the board.

"It is a very good Budget which will further fuel the growth momentum. The raise in income tax exemption limit is a welcome relief. I am particularly happy for allocation to the third phase expansion of the metro network," Dikshit said.

The construction of Delhi Metro's Phase-III, which envisages adding another 104 km to the network in Delhi, is proposed to be taken up in 2011-12, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced in his Budget and alloted Rs 1,351 crore as budgetary support for it.

"In 2011-12, Delhi Metro Phase-III and Mumbai Metro Line III are proposed to be taken up," Mukherjee said.

While the Centre will infuse Rs 452.2 crore as equity to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which it jointly owns with the Delhi government, it will provide Rs 101.28 crore as grants.

Mukherjee also proposed allotment of Rs 1,351.86 crore as budgetary support to the Delhi Metro. The amount is likely to be used for the construction of the Phase-III.

The Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction over plan outlay of Rs 1,192 crore to Delhi in the Budget which is Rs 36 crore less than last year's Rs 1,228 crore.

The city government has also been given another allocation of Rs 568 crore as against last year's Rs 590 crore to meet its non-plan expenditure.

Dikshit also welcomed the Budget proposal to double the remuneration of Anganwadi workers across the country.

In his Budget speech, Mukherjee announced that an Anganwadi worker will get a monthly salary of Rs 3,000 instead of current Rs 1,500 while salary of Anganwadi helpers has been increased to Rs 1,500 from Rs 750 per month.