The Delhi Government on Tuesday took the miniscule Opposition represented by just three Bharatiya Janata Party Legislators head-on in response to allegations of financial non-cooperation to the three Municipal Corporations.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia minced no words in holding the BJP-led Central Government responsible for the alleged offence.

Mr. Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the Delhi Government would pay a grant amounting to Rs. 600 crore to the three corporations after the Centre released more funds. This was followed by the Deputy Chief Minister informing the Assembly that the Centre’s de-facto administration of Delhi during the President’s Rule had left a substantial hole in its pocket.

“BJP leaders, whose party is at the Centre, should approach the Central Government and demand fund to improve the financial condition of all the three municipal corporations. If the Centre releases Rs. 600 crore to the Delhi Government, we will immediately give it to the corporations within 24 hours,” he said.

Mr. Sisodia spoke in response to BJP Legislator Vijendra Gupta’s charge that the Delhi Government was deliberately withholding the report of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission, which was mandated to examine the financial position of the municipalities and was established in October 2009.

“The commission had submitted its final report on April 5, 2013, but due to government inaction under the Congress regime and subsequent AAP rule, it has not been implemented so far,” Mr. Gupta said adding that it was the reason behind the fund crunch being faced by the corporations.

As per the Central Finance Commission, Mr. Sisodia said in his speech, two grants were recommended for local bodies: the Basic Grant and the Performance Grant. But Delhi was not included in the terms of reference of the Central Finance Commission and, therefore, no grant was being received by the local bodies in Delhi.

“Local bodies in our neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab are scheduled to receive more than Rs. 600 crore each in the next financial year. Had the National Capital Territory of Delhi been included terms of reference of the Central Finance Commission, then local bodies of Delhi would become the recipient of similar amounts,” he added.