Delhi gets central assistance of Rs 349 crore

The Delhi government was today allotted Rs 349 crore in the Union Budget as central assistance for 2014-15, which is a decrease of Rs 682 crore compared to last year's provision of Rs 1,031 crore.
Separately, a total of Rs 700 crore was allocated in the Union Budget for carrying out reforms in power and water sectors in the national capital.
Delhi was allotted Rs 1,143 crore in the Union Budget for 2013-14 which came down to Rs 1,031 crore in the revised estimate.
Out of total allocation for 2014-15, Rs 325 crore has been given as normal assistance against Rs 662 crore in the revised estimate in the previous fiscal.

Delhi government has been pushing for substantial hike in the normal central assistance, arguing that it has been stagnant at around Rs 300 crore per annum for the past 10 years.
A separate amount of Rs 134 crore has been allocated for the National Capital Region under the budget allocation to the Urban Development Ministry.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has allocated Rs 50 lakh for enhanced compensation for 1984 riot victims and another Rs 2 crore for improvement in statistical system.
Presenting the budget, Jaitley proposed Rs 500 crore for reform in the water sector while Rs 200 crore has been set aside for reform in the power sector.

The city has been facing long power cuts during the peak summer months despite adequate availability of power. Major power transmission lines often trip when the load increases.