NEW DELHI: Describing the proposals in the Delhi budget as inadequate and below expectations, the Member of Parliament from Outer Delhi, Sajjan Kumar, on Monday demanded an increase in the allocation of funds for the Rural Development Board, developmental works in unauthorised colonies and urbanised villages and old age pension.

In a statement, Mr. Kumar welcomed the decision to reduce Value Added Tax on cooking gas, piped natural gas, desi ghee, inverters, electrical goods and shoes.

As for the other proposals, Mr. Kumar said the proposed allocation of Rs. 106 crores for the Rural Development Board was not enough as of this amount Rs. 40 crores would go to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for various works and the Board would be left with only Rs. 66 crores for development of villages. He said during his tenure as Chairman of the Board, the Chief Minister had assured him that the sewage system would be laid for villages and stalls and shops would be given to the unemployed youth.

However, with such a limited budget, it would not be possible to implement these schemes. He demanded that the allocation for the Rural Development Board be hiked to Rs. 200 crores to ensure harmonious development of villages.

Mr. Kumar termed the allocation of Rs. 20 lakhs per phase for the development works in each unauthorised colony as meagre and demanded that considering the conditions in which lakhs of people live there, this be raised to Rs. 30 lakhs per phase.

Mr. Kumar said the Delhi Government was not taking up the development in these villages properly and it was important that they be put under the Delhi Rural Development Board. Mr. Kumar also termed the hike in old age pension from Rs. 350 to Rs. 400 per month as inadequate and said it should be increased to Rs. 500 per month.

Welcoming the proposal to grant Rs. 350 per month unemployment allowance to unemployed handicapped persons, he said this be raised to Rs. 500 per month. Also, pension for widows be raised to Rs. 500 per month, he added.

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