G20 Summit: AAP And Centre Fall Out Over Funding For Development, Beautification Works In Delhi

The ruling BJP has accused AAP of taking credit for the G20 development work that has been carried out in Delhi ahead of the summit in September. In response, AAP has said that all the funding was dispensed from the Delhi government's budget, which is the taxpayer's money. 

On Monday, Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, said, "Whatever work done by PWD and MCD is done using taxpayers' money. PWD did not even get a penny from the Centre." Bharadwaj said this when asked by reporters about BJP's claims, after his visit to the iconic British-era Town Hall and Ghalib ki Haveli in the Walled City. Bhardwaj said that ahead of the summit, 89 roads in the national capital have been beautified by PWD. 

Bhardwaj also cited the Constitution to state that no power gives the LG Governor the power to sanction money for development works in the national capital.  "PWD engineer can sanction ₹ 20 lakh because he is answerable to the department that is accountable to the minister, who in turn is answerable to the Vidhan Sabha, which is accountable to people," he said, further adding that the roads are open to being inspected by anyone.

 

Expanding on how Delhi is being beautified with the main routes, where the delegates can arrive, being beautified, trees and flower pots are being used, Bhardwaj said that the preparations for the summit are complete.  

Attacking the BJP, he said, "I don't understand why the BJP is doing such trivial talks on such a great occasion. We never questioned them for not giving us the funds (for G20 Summit). People of Delhi are happy to celebrate the occasion of G20 with their own money (sic)."

Meanwhile, Saxena said that if someone wanted to take credit for the work the Centre was doing, they could. The remarks came after Bhardwaj commented that the Centre was "belittling itself" by talking about the funding for the G20 summit. 

The G20 Summit in Delhi is all set to commence on September 9. The summit will be held for two days and will be joined by representatives of member nations as well as guest nations.