After financial review,schemes may be axed

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal's government will review schemes and projects earmarked for financial year 2013-14 under a budgetary outlay of about Rs 36,000 crore (plan and non-plan). Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit's last budget in her 15-year stint that ended in the December assembly polls was marked by schemes and high allocation to the social sector and welfare aimed at attracting a sizeable chunk of voters of Delhi among the poor and low-income groups.

Now all departmental heads will make presentations on the schemes under the plan head in front of the new government which is likely to make this the ground for continuing them or closing them in the next financial year.

The financial review is also expected to pave the way for a vote-on-account budget till June to take into account the funds required for essential government work till then. The budget for 2014-15 will be prepared and tabled only after the Lok Sabha elections that are likely to be held in April.

When asked about the review, minister in-charge of urban development Manish Sisodia, who also holds charge of many other critical portfolios, said, "This is a financial review and we are going into it with an open mind. We will assess the schemes to see what's their status and what is required." The review was overdue considering that the last major assessment of Delhi's financial health was done before the code of conduct came into force in October last year.

According to sources, a flagship programme like Bhagidari is likely to be reviewed to understand the allocations to schemes like these and assess their relevance in the long run. The Swaraj bill, for instance, is being drafted and it proposes mohalla sabhas in colonies with participatory democracy as a key component.