Delhi LG VK Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (File).
New Delhi:
The hearth in a Delhi kids’s hospital final week – wherein seven infants have been killed – has prompted a swipe from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who declared himself “disillusioned” that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Well being Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj had “paid solely lip service and given sound bites (to the press)… and shirked accountability” because the gut-wrenching incident.
Mr Saxena stated he had been compelled “in public curiosity” to order an anti-corruption probe into doable lapses in registration and regulatory administration of personal nursing properties within the metropolis.
“… ACB has been directed to undertake a complete inquiry into the registration of nursing properties within the metropolis, to evaluate what number of nursing properties are functioning with out legitimate registrations and if those who have a sound registration adjust to prescribed norms…” Mr Saxena stated.
Alleging “absence of ministerial oversight… felony neglect, and connivance of presidency officers in granting or renewing licences for nursing properties”, he proclaimed he had been “compelled to step in… on account of lack of seriousness on (the) a part of authorities entrusted with these tasks”.
The AAP has not but responded to Mr Saxena’s statements. Nevertheless, Well being Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday ordered a compulsory audit of security tools in each metropolis hospital.
READ | After Delhi Hospital Tragedy, Minister’s Massive Order On Hearth Security
Mr Bhardwaj has additionally vowed “strictest punishment” in opposition to these responsible.
And the Delhi authorities has instituted a magistrate-level inquiry into the fireplace.
Lapses In Delhi Hospital Hearth
Critical lapses have been flagged within the aftermath of the blaze, together with the hospital not having an emergency exit system in case of a fireplace and that it didn’t have a sound no-objection certificates.
There have been additionally 10 beds greater than the hospital was allowed, that means there was an unlucky rush when the fireplace broke out, and panicked employees, sufferers, and caregivers tried to flee.
READ | Physician On Responsibility Not Certified To Deal with Infants: Delhi Police
And eventually, not less than two of the medical doctors on responsibility on the time weren’t certified to deal with new-born kids in want of intensive neo-natal care; maybe most shockingly, the medical doctors held solely BAMS, or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Drugs and Surgical procedure levels.
The 2, together with hospital proprietor Dr Naveen Khichi, have been arrested.
“Have Taken Critical View”, LG Says
“I’ve taken a really stern view (of) the matter. Though this can be a transferred topic (below the only real jurisdiction of the Delhi authorities), I’m compelled to step in, within the bigger public curiosity, on account of the shortage of seriousness of authorities entrusted with these tasks,” Mr Saxena avowed.
In a letter to the Delhi authorities’s Chief Secretary (shared with NDTV by way of sources within the Lieutenant Governor’s workplace), Mr Saxena stated the Anti-Corruption Bureau had been directed to learn how many nursing properties are functioning with out legitimate permits, together with these associated to fireplace security.
READ | Delhi Hospital The place 7 Infants Died Not New To Controversy
“I’m given to know there are 1,190 nursing properties (in Delhi), of which over 1 / 4 are working with no legitimate registration,” he claimed in his letter. “Additionally, there are numerous nursing properties that by no means utilized for a registration however are working nonetheless. Even those who have a sound licence could not meet security and regulatory requirements within the Delhi Nursing Properties Registration Act.”
Mr Saxena – who has had frequent and acerbic run-ins with Arvind Kejriwal and his colleagues – accused the Delhi authorities of “brushing such severe issues below the carpet”.
“The existence of such nursing properties, which serve the poorer sections, speaks volumes concerning the extreme lack of public well being infrastructure… this can be a bigger uncared for problem…” he stated.
Have requested Chief Secy to institute an inquiry into the tragic incidents of fireplace in kids’s hospital in Delhi. Additionally instructed CP to make sure all that’s needful.
My heartfelt condolences to bereaved households.
I guarantee all reduction & will make sure that responsible are dropped at guide.— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) Might 26, 2024
On Sunday Mr Saxena “directed” the Chief Secretary (who reviews to the Chief Minister) and the town’s Police Commissioner (who reviews to the Union Dwelling Minister) to “institute an inquiry”.
Delhi Youngsters’s Hospital Hearth
Earlier this month Mr Saxena additionally ordered a NIA probe in opposition to Mr Kejriwal over allegations he acquired funds from the banned Sikhs For Justice group led by wished terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun.
READ | NIA Probe Towards Kejriwal? Lt Governor’s New Declare, AAP Replies
Mr Kejriwal’s celebration hit again swiftly by way of Mr Bhardwaj, who dismissed the probe name as a “conspiracy” in opposition to the celebration and its chief. “LG sir is an agent of the BJP… That is one other massive conspiracy in opposition to Chief Minister Kejriwal on the behest of the BJP,” he stated in a quick assertion.
READ | Delhi LG Backs Swati Maliwal, AAP Says It Proves Her BJP Hyperlink
In current weeks Mr Saxena has additionally stepped into the Swati Maliwal row; the Delhi LG, as many would have predicted, got here out in help of Ms Maliwal, who has accused Mr Kejriwal’s aide of assault. The LG declared himself “deeply distressed” by the entire incident.
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