New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday alleged that 13 deaths at Asha Kiran Home Shelter occurred due to the negligence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena appointed by the BJP-led central government as the responsibility for transfers and postings of doctors and paramedical staff lies directly with him.
Addressing the media, Bharadwaj highlighted, “There is a severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in Delhi government hospitals and vacancies are deliberately not being filled.”
Citing recent incident where 13 people died at the Asha Kiran Home Shelter, Bhardwaj said,”Upon investigation, it was found that there was a severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at the shelter, which is critical for the mentally and physically challenged residents.”
“The responsibility of transfers and postings lies directly with the Lieutenant Governor, so these deaths occurred due to his negligence,” he claimed.
The Minister said that in response to these allegations, the Lieutenant Governor’s office promptly issued a statement claiming that the absence of the National Committee on the Constitution and Structure of the Administration (NCCSA) meeting prevented them from appointing medical staff and doctors at the Asha Kiran Home Shelter.
“However, later, after being reprimanded by the court, doctors and paramedical staff were appointed without involving the NCCSA. But since the Lieutenant Governor’s office is in the habit of spreading lies, they did the same in this case as well,” Bhardwaj claimed.
He further highlighted the severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in Delhi government hospitals, stating, “Typically, a hospital should have a director or a medical superintendent, but the current situation is such that one person is responsible for several hospitals, preventing them from fulfilling their duties effectively.”
“In this case, too, the Lieutenant Governor’s office responded with the same absurd excuse, stating that due to the NCCSA meeting not taking place, they could not appoint doctors and paramedical staff in the hospitals,” Bhardwaj alleged.
“Since he took charge as Delhi’s Health Minister, he has written to the Lieutenant Governor at least half a dozen times, informing him that about 30% of doctor and specialist positions are vacant in Delhi’s hospitals, and hundreds of paramedical staff positions are also vacant,” the Minister said.
He urged that doctors and paramedical staff be appointed to these positions as soon as possible.
“In response to these letters, the Lieutenant Governor’s office sent a very odd reply, stating that they had received a list of about 25-26 specialists, but could not appoint them because the Chief Minister of Delhi was unavailable, and the NCCSA meeting could not take place,” Bhardwaj claimed.
He further questioned LG stating that If the he was telling the truth, will he suspend PWD Principal Secretary Ambarasu for making transfers and postings.
Referring to another incident at Delhi’s Ambedkar Medical College, the AAP leader said, “Professor attempted to physically harass two female students there. Despite the complaint, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, which directly oversees the Services Department, did not take any action against the guilty professor, nor did they act against the college principal.”
“When questioned, the same absurd response came from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, claiming that they could not take action against the professor and principal because the NCCSA meeting could not be held,” he alleged.
“When this news was heavily reported in the media, the Lieutenant Governor was forced to suspend the guilty professor,” Bhardwaj added.
He alleged,”While the BJP makes a lot of noise about similar incidents in Bengal, when such an incident occurred in Delhi, LG appointed by the BJP-controlled central government did not take any action against the guilty professor and principal. On the contrary, the college administration conspired to falsely implicate the two girls.”
