Two controversial decisions of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi on testing only those with coronavirus symptoms and blocking hospitals for residents were overruled by the Lieutenant Governor today, in a revival of the centre versus Arvind Kejriwal fight.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal overturned the Delhi government’s order on testing only those showing COVID-19 symptoms and said asymptomatic cases and high-risk contacts of a virus patient will also be tested.
Any deviation from the testing rules of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) “can result in further spread of COVID-19 in the capital,” Mr Baijal said in his order.
The Lieutenant Governnor, who is a representative of the central government in Delhi, also overruled Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to reserve hospitals run by the Delhi government and some private hospitals for residents of the capital amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
Everyone will be treated in Delhi without “discrimination”, Mr Baijal said in his order, asserting that treatment “should not be denied to any patient on grounds of being a non-resident”. He referred to the Supreme Court saying in various judgments that “Right to Health” is an integral part of “Right to Life” in the constitution.
Mr Kejriwal, who is unwell and will take a COVID-19 test tomorrow, said the Lieutenant Governor’s decision would create a huge problem and challenge for the people of Delhi. “Maybe it is God’s will that we should serve the people of the entire country. We will try to arrange treatment for everybody,” tweeted the Chief Minister, who is self-isolating at his home after a mild fever and sore throat.
Mr Kejriwal’s decision, ascribed to a committee of doctors that has predicted a spike in the demand for beds for COVID-19 treatment, had drawn criticism both from the ruling BJP and the Congress.
“Excellent step by LG to overrule Delhi Govt’s idiotic order of not treating patients from other states! India is ONE and we have to fight this pandemic together!” – tweeted BJP MP Gautam Gambhir.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also questioned the move in tweets, saying: “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?” The former Union Minister also wondered whether Mr Kejriwal took legal opinion before the move.
Mr Kejriwal and AAP had justified the decision in the backdrop of allegations that COVID-19 patients or suspected cases are being turned away by hospitals and many private hospitals were claiming to be out of space despite a Delhi government app showing available beds.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said going by the doubling rate in the capital, Delhi would have around 56,000 coronavirus cases in two weeks.