Sources from the LG office confirm approval of Delhi Budget by MHA

The Delhi government’s Budget for 2023-24 has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and conveyed to the AAP dispensation, according to sources in the lieutenant governor’s office. This comes amid a dispute between the Centre and the city government, with the AAP accusing the former of blocking the budget. However, a source in the LG office said that Delhi is a Union Territory and not a State, and that previous consent and approval of the President of India is required before laying the Budget of Delhi in the Legislative Assembly, as per the Constitution. The source also alleged that the AAP government had shown mal-intent by fixing the date for presenting the budget before seeking the President’s approval. The presentation of the budget was put on hold on Tuesday as the central government sought clarification from the AAP government over allocations under various heads. The AAP had alleged that salaries of employees would be stopped if the budget was not tabled, but the LG office source said that every employee would receive their salary irrespective of whether the budget was passed or not.