Delhi Finance Minister Atishi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of impeding the city government's operations by allegedly manipulating officers to obstruct the release of funds. During a session in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi addressed concerns about the Finance Department's alleged interference in the functioning of vital departments, including Public Works and Health, as well as the Delhi Jal Board, as reported by PTI.
Atishi asserted that, despite the government maintaining a surplus budget and having ample funds, the Finance Department is deliberately withholding funds. She specifically pointed to delays in processing the second installment of funds for the Delhi Jal Board, alleging that a routine file was not processed by the Finance Department, citing bad intentions.
The Finance Minister accused the BJP of orchestrating obstacles, claiming that over Rs 1,200 crore worth of previous bills are pending with the Delhi Jal Board and attributing the situation to BJP's influence. Atishi asserted that the BJP, recognizing its inability to defeat Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, is employing bureaucratic strategies to hinder the Delhi government's work.
Atishi emphasized her confidence in the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) return to power in the 2025 assembly polls, predicting the BJP's loss of even its current eight seats. Earlier in the day, she highlighted the seriousness of the Finance Department's non-processing of the Assembly's bills, linking the issue to the GNCTD (Amendment) Act and claiming that Delhi's bureaucracy has been "weaponized" against the elected government.
She further detailed bureaucratic challenges, stating that files were returned, citing the Law Department as the administrative department to process bills, despite the Law Department's clear indication that the files should not be sent to them. Alleging non-compliance with her orders by the Finance Department and the finance secretary, Atishi claimed that funds for the Public Works Department and the Delhi Jal Board have also been halted.
