Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and LG Vinay Kumar Saxena (file photo)
Tension has once again increased between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has written a note to Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj raising questions on the working and claims of the Delhi government. LG wrote to the Health Minister that I am writing this note in the context of April 4, 2024. In which information about severe shortage of basic materials has come to light in Dr. Hedgewar Health Institute and Chacha Nehru Children’s Hospital. The Lieutenant Governor wrote that you will remember that on two occasions within the last one week, I had requested you to come to discuss the current health care related issues. But you ignored the invitation, did not consider it necessary.
On the other hand, Delhi government has retaliated on LG’s letter. A statement was issued by the Delhi government saying that under a conspiracy, there is a shortage of medicines and other essential materials in the hospitals of the Delhi government. Only LG can take action against the officers responsible for this situation. Delhi government has said that LG Saheb’s letter shows that they do not want to take action against those officers. They are doing politics on medicines and treatment of the poor.
Made it a habit to write letters to me again and again – LG
LG Vinay Kumar Saxena wrote in the note that normally I would have addressed this letter to the Chief Minister but in the present circumstances in his absence I am forced to address this letter directly to you. The LG wrote that it has become a habit to put the blame for the shortcomings entirely on the senior officers and to repeatedly send letters to me for disciplinary action against the officers.
The LG also wrote that as per the law of the country, the National Capital Civil Services Authority is the body that recommends transfers, postings and vigilance/disciplinary action. NCCSA is headed by none other than the Chief Minister. He himself decides its meetings and agenda. Action against irresponsible officers is initiated by NCCSA. Along with this, he also wrote to Saurabh Bhardwaj that you should inform the Chief Minister about this entire situation. There has been no meeting of NCCSA for 6 months.
Neither cotton nor orthopedic doctor in the hospital
LG wrote that I am shocked by the pathetic condition of Delhi government hospitals. The shocking thing is that the health services of the much publicized ‘Delhi Model’ of health care are in a dilapidated condition, it seems that he is on life support ventilator. With this, LG has rejected the claims of the government. He also rejected the glorification made by the government minister. He wrote that I am surprised to see the way the Delhi government is running the Delhi hospital. Even basic utility items like cotton are not available with the government. There is a shortage of orthopedic doctors in hospitals.
He wrote that I had written to the Chief Minister in June last year itself that nothing was done except the construction of a new hospital in Siraspur, which also took a lot of time and cost, and no new hospital has been built in the last 9 years. There was a lot of delay in increasing the number of beds in existing hospitals. This is a worrying situation. The inadequacy of health infrastructure was most exposed during the Covid pandemic, a lesson should have been learned from it.
LG also targeted Kejriwal
Taking aim at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the LG said that true leadership comes with great responsibility, which I have been constantly reminding the Chief Minister. Unfortunately this was not taken into consideration. Governance is a serious matter. This discourages officers. He also wrote that there are huge irregularities in Delhi government hospitals and mohalla clinics.
Delhi government’s counterattack on LG’s letter
The LG has hit back and accused the Delhi government of a conspiracy. Delhi government said that as part of a conspiracy, there is a shortage of medicines and other essential materials in hospitals. Delhi Government said that as part of a conspiracy, the functioning of the Delhi Government is being defamed. LG has the right to take action against responsible officers. Why don’t they take action? Delhi government also attacked by saying that LG Saheb is doing politics on medicines and treatment of the poor.