Delhi govt's revenue receipt fell, expenditure increased in 2016-17: CAG report

The revenue receipt of the Delhi government fell by Rs 653.11 crore in 2016-17 as compared to the previous financial year due to decrease in non-tax revenue and a shortfall of Rs 1,433.13 crore in grants from the Centre, the CAG said in its report.

The report, tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Assembly today, stated that the total expenditure during 2016-17 at Rs 35,608.74 crore has increased by Rs 1,858.40 crore (5.51 per cent) over the previous year.

"Of the total increase, revenue expenditure constituted Rs 2,959.37 crore, while the capital expenditure and loans and advances decreased by Rs 969.17 crore and Rs 131.80 crore respectively," it stated.

According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, as of 31 March 2017, the government had invested Rs 18,933.05 crore in statutory corporations, rural banks, joint stock companies and cooperatives.

"However, their return on this investment was 0.06 per cent, while the government paid interest at an average rate of 8.65 per cent on its borrowings during 2016-17," report said.

In its report, the CAG noted the fiscal position of Delhi, viewed in terms of key fiscal parameters, such as, revenue surplus, fiscal deficit and primary deficit, shows decline in 2016-17.

"Revenue surplus decreased by Rs 3,612.48 crore (41.73 per cent) in 2016-17 over the previous year. The fiscal surplus of Rs 1,331.92 crore in 2015-16 decreased by 178.87 per cent and turned to fiscal deficit of Rs 1,050.50 crore in 2016-17.

"The primary surplus of Rs 4,141.73 crore in 2015-16 decreased (55.77 per cent) to Rs 1,832.02 crore in 2016-17," the report stated.

It also stated recoveries of loans and advances increased by Rs 129.09 crore (154.77 per cent), while the disbursement of loans decreased by Rs 131.80 crore (4.91 per cent).

In the report, the CAG recommended the Delhi government to increase capital expenditure to have positive impact on economic growth and take effective measures to recover outstanding loans from the institutions.