Sheila may avoid fresh taxes on 'aam aadmi' in budget

With an eye on assembly polls later this year, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is unlikely to levy taxes that may hit the common man when she presents the annual budget of her government for the third consecutive year tomorrow.
Under attack for stiff hike in power tariff, Dikshit is likely to announce some relief for the consumers in the form of raising the cap for extending subsidy.
The government has been providing subsidy of Rs one per unit for domestic customers whose monthly consumption of electricity does not exceed 200 units. Sources said the limit may be extended upto 300 units.

Sources said Dikshit will continue focus on social sector and infrastructure development and is expected to announce a slew of populist measures.
With Congress identifying losing support base of people living in around 1,600 unauthorised colonies as a major reason for defeat in the municipal polls last year, the government is expected to set aside substantial funds for infrastructure development in these settlements.
"Development of unauthorised colonies is going to get priority in the budget," said a Minister. Nearly 50 lakh people are currently residing in 1,639 unauthorised colonies.