Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday said that it has sought an immediate Central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore to pay salaries to its employees and meet its expenses.

Sisodia said that the government requires the assistance as revenues have dried up during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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“I have written to the union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for help,” Sisodia said.

He further informed that the Delhi government, so far, has not received the fund sanctioned to states under the Disaster Relief Fund.

Addressing the media, Sisodia further said, “After reviewing Delhi government’s revenue and its minimum expenses we have realised that we need around Rs 3,500 crore every month just to pay salaries and bear office expenses.”

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He further informed that the Delhi government in the last two months collected GST of Rs 500 crore each.

“Combining the GST for the last two months with other sources, the government has Rs 1,735 crore,” Sisodia added.

“We need Rs 7,000 crore for two months and the immediate issue before the Delhi government is about paying salaries to its employees,” he further said.