Parliamentary approval for Delhi budget

Parliamentary approval was Thursday accorded to the budget for the national capital with the Rajya Sabha adopting the measure through voice vote and returning it to the Lok Sabha.

The Delhi budget was passed by the Lok Sabha Wednesday.

The task, normally carried out in the Delhi assembly, had to be taken up by parliament as the capital city is under president's rule.

Replying to the debate on the budget, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said a medical college, and a multi-specialty hospital in rural south Delhi area are being set up, along with several new educational institutions.

Several new kidney dialysis centres will also be opened in public private partnership, the finance minister informed the Rajya Sabha.

On July 18, Jaitley had presented Delhi's Rs.36,776 crore budget for the fiscal 2014-15 in parliament, proposing a new specialty hospital and 100 ambulances for accident victims, while keeping tax rates unchanged.

The budget provides for a Rs.260 crore power subsidy for small consumers, ranging from Rs.0.80 to Rs.1.20 per unit, four new sewage treatment plants, 50 dialysis centres and Rs.2,400 crore for education.

Of the total outlay, the maximum amount - Rs.3,702 crore - has been set aside for the transport sector, followed by Rs.2,724 crore for the health sector.