City’s revenue collection registers a growth of 14.7% in 2017-2018; debt problem ‘well under control’, states Economic Survey tabled in Assembly

The Delhi government’s revenue collection, the per capita income of Delhiites and the percentage of growth of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the Capital are all estimated to see an upward trend, according to the Economic Survey of Delhi 2018-2019.

Tabled by Delhi Finance Minister Manish Sisodia in the Assembly on Saturday, the Economic Survey shows that Delhiites earn about three times the national per capita income. In 2018-2019, Delhi’s estimated per capita income at current prices is ₹3,65,529, while the national per capita income is ₹1,25,397.

The Delhi government’s tax collection registered a growth of 14.7% in 2017-2018, an increase from the 3.03% growth witnessed in 2016-2017, according to the Economic Survey. The government’s non-tax revenue, which includes interest, dividend, profit from investments, service charges, fees and fines, saw a huge 101.23% growth in 2017-2018, after witnessing a decrease of 26.14% in 2016-2017.

Delhi’s GSDP at current prices for 2018-2019 was estimated to be ₹7,79,652 crore, a 12.98% increase from the previous year. The GSDP at constant prices, using the base year as 2011-2012, was estimated to see a growth of 8.61 % over the previous year to reach ₹6,02,708 crore in 2018-2019.

According to the Economic Survey, the Delhi government’s “debt problem is well under control” as the debt was 16.79% of the GSDP in 2007-2008, but in 2017-2018 it was 4.86% of the GSDP. However, the outstanding debt increased from ₹25,338.96 crore to ₹33,569 crore over the same period.

DTC and DJB

Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Corporation, which operates public buses in the city, is estimated to see an increase in its working losses. In 2018-2019, the DTC is estimated to have working losses of ₹1,750.37 crore, higher than ₹1,730.02 crore in 2017-2018.

The Delhi Jal Board, which is responsible for supplying drinking water, is estimated to have a deficit of ₹133.78 crore in 2018-2019. After witnessing revenue surplus from 2012-2013 till 2015-2016, the DJB saw a deficit of ₹533.73 crore in 2016-2017 and ₹275.29 crore in 2017-2018.

After coming to power in 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party government had introduced a scheme to supply free water, up to 20 kl a month, to domestic connections. For this, in 2017-2018, the Delhi government gave the DJB ₹425 crore “for meeting out the expenditure for free water supply to consumers”, the Economic Survey said.