EC nod to February 1 Budget, but with riders on Delhi schemes
NEW DELHI: With Union Budget due to be presented in the middle of Delhi assembly poll campaign, Election Commission shall be directing Centre to exclude any Delhi-specific announcements in the Budget.
While the Budget is due to be presented on Feb 1, voting in Delhi will follow barely four days later on Feb 5. When specifically asked if this could give an opportunity to Centre to announce schemes and initiatives for Delhi in the Budget, potentially disturbing the level-playing field, CEC Rajiv Kumar Tuesday said no Delhi-specific announcements may be included till the election is over.
While the Budget is due to be presented on Feb 1, voting in Delhi will follow barely four days later on Feb 5. When specifically asked if this could give an opportunity to Centre to announce schemes and initiatives for Delhi in the Budget, potentially disturbing the level-playing field, CEC Rajiv Kumar Tuesday said no Delhi-specific announcements may be included till the election is over.
Kumar said EC's "hands are tied" when it comes to regulating "election freebies". Emphasising the matter is sub-judice in SC, he said it is difficult to determine what constituted a "freebie", as what is a "freebie" for someone may be "entitlement" for another. It was "high time" that "accepted and legal answers" were found, he said.
Referring to a proforma suggested by EC to ensure transparency regarding financial implications of poll promises or "freebies", Kumar said people have right to be informed of state's fiscal health while deciding to vote based on promised freebies. "It is necessary to see what is the fiscal health of a state... What is debt-to-GDP ratio? How much will you borrow on that promise? How much is the financial cost of this promise?" he said. "We cannot mortgage the future of coming generations, this is a very serious issue," he added.
EC had in 2022 proposed to amend MCC to add a proforma through which parties must make disclosure regarding the financial feasibility of promises made in their manifestos.
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