Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the AAP in the Delhi assembly, accusing the previous government of deceiving the public on the pretext of free schemes.
“The public had hoped that their tax money would be used for building roads, schools, and hospitals. Instead, their hard-earned money was diverted to so-called free schemes,” she said.
Speaking on the CAG report (pertaining to the finance accounts and appropriation accounts of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi for the year 2023–24), the CM held the previous government accountable for irregularities.
She said the CAG report exposes the mismanagement and lack of intent to work on the part of the previous administration.
Gupta formally demanded that the CAG report should be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a comprehensive investigation, so that the public may know how their money was truly spent.
Pointing out that the Central government had provided a grant of Rs 4,800 crore to Delhi, she stressed the need to understand how this amount was utilized, adding Rs 463 crore was spent on water supply, Rs 482 crore on free bus services, and Rs 3,250 crore on the free electricity scheme. This way, the entire grant was consumed by so-called freebie schemes, she added.
She further alleged that the former government deliberately neglected development works and focused entirely on publicity and propaganda.
The CM further said that the entire revenue of the previous government was consumed by expenses—salaries, interest payments, and other such expenditures that do not create any permanent assets.
She pointed out that in the financial year 2022-23, the Delhi government had a revenue surplus of Rs 4,566 crore, but the entire amount was spent, and as a result, in 2023-24, the government fell into a deficit of Rs 3,934 crore. Together, the deficit over these two years amounted to nearly Rs 8,600 crore, she added.
The chief minister also revealed that there was a 50 per cent decline in public health expenditure, and the 24 hospitals whose foundations had been laid remained incomplete to this day.
Sectors like education and sports saw a 42 per cent cut, while road construction and public works witnessed a reduction of up to 40 per cent.
Gupta called this a clear sign of neglect towards public welfare and a misuse of resources.