Sheila Dikshit says finances tough, hints at rise in taxes and tariffs

In an indication of possible rise in taxes and tariffs in the upcoming budget, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit today said her government may have to take certain measures to augment its dwindling financial resources.

Dikshit, speaking in the assembly on the motion of thanks to the Lt governor's address, said her government was facing financial problem following the Centre curtailing allocation to the city but hoped that people in the city will not shy away from helping the government at the time of crisis.

"We are facing financial crisis. The Centre said they cannot give more...to overcome the crisis, the finance minister must have taken certain decisions," she said without elaborating.

"I am confident that people will not shy away from coming forward to help the government," she said adding that the government will not compromise on its developmental agenda for want of funds.

Coming down hard on the BJP for levelling "baseless" allegations against the government, she said the face of the national capital has changed in the last one year because of persistent efforts of her government to upgrade infrastructure and make Delhi a world class city.

"We are in the government because the people of Delhi wanted us to govern them. We are delivering on our promises that is why successively we have been voted to power. I am confident of winning the next assembly election also," she said.