No Money to pay Salaries, Delhi has asked Rs 5,000 crore from Centre: Manish Sisodia

The Govt of Delhi has sought an immediate assistance of Rs 5,000 crore from the Centre to pay salaries to its employees & meet its expenses as revenues have dried up during the lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said on Sunday.

Deputy CM, who also holds the finance portfolio, said he has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for help & added that the Delhi Govt hasn't received the fund sanctioned to states under the Disaster Relief Fund.

During a press conference, Sisodia said that “We reviewed the Delhi government’s revenue & its minimum expenses. We need around Rs 3,500 crore every month just to pay salaries & bear office expenses. In last two months, GST collection was Rs 500 crore each & combining that with other sources, the government has Rs 1,735 crore".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader said he has asked for assistance from the Centre so that the Delhi Govt can pay salaries to its employees & everyone who is fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

He also tweeted that “Due to the corona & lockdown, the tax collection of the Delhi government is running low at about 85%. Delhi has not received any funds from the Disaster Relief Fund released by the Centre to the remaining states".

Delhi, which is the 3rd worst-hit area in India, has reported 18,549 infections, including 416 deaths, so far.  

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