LG overrules CM Arvind Kejriwal; Delhi treatment for all

NEW DELHI: The Centre has overruled Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s controversial decision to reserve Covid-19 beds only for residents of the Capital. Centre’s representative, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday asserted treatment “should not be denied to any patient on the grounds of being a non-resident” of Delhi.

The LG also overturned the Delhi government’s order on testing only those showing Covid-19 symptoms and said asymptomatic cases and high-risk contacts must be tested too.

Baijal’s order on hospitals referred to various verdicts of the Supreme Court that asserted right to health was an integral part of right to life guaranteed by the Constitution. All government and private hospitals and nursing homes have to extend all Covid-19 treatment facilities without discrimination against residents or non-residents, the order stated.


Arvind Kejriwal reacted by tweeting: “LG sahib’s order has created a huge problem and challenge for the people of Delhi. Providing treatment for people coming from all over the country during corona pandemic is a big challenge. May God bless us to serve the people of the country. We will try to provide treatment to all.” Kejriwal and AAP said the decision to restrict use of hospitals was taken based on suggestions of Delhiites.


“We received 7.5 lakh suggestions and 90% people said they wanted Delhi hospital beds reserved for Delhiites,” Kejriwal had said. The Chief Minister also acted on the advice of a five-member committee of doctors that predicted Delhi would need 15,000 beds by June-end, said officials.

Kejriwal’s decision had drawn sharp criticism from Congress and BJP. “Mr Kejriwal says Delhi hospitals are only for Delhiites. Will he please tell us who is a Delhiite? If I live or work in Delhi, am I a Delhiite?,” tweeted Congress leader P Chidambaram. AAP’s Manish Sisodia attacked BJP and said LG was pressured by BJP.
“A state government of BJP is busy with PPE kit and ventilators scams. The Delhi government is trying to manage this disaster... BJP is not able to digest this. So they are playing cheap politics...,” Sisodia tweeted.