Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday questioned the legality of the Delhi government’s decision to extend hospital facilities only to ‘local residents’ of Delhi .
In a series of tweets, Mr. Chidambaram asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who qualified to be called a ‘Delhiite’.
“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?” asked Mr. Chidambaram.
“Did Mr. Kejriwal take legal opinion before he made his announcement?” he asked.
“I thought if a person had enrolled in Jan Arogya Yojana / Aayushman Bharat, he can seek treatment in any enlisted hospital, public or private, anywhere in India?” added Mr. Chidambaram.
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Cites HC order
Delhi Congress spokesperson Aman Panwar also attacked the Kejriwal government and claimed that the Delhi High Court had in an October 2018 order called such a move ‘unconstitutional’.
‘Wake up Delhi! See what a fraud @ArvindKejriwal & @AamAadmiParty is playing on you!! On 12th Oct, 2018 Delhi HC has already ‘REJECTED’ a similar decision taken to reserve medical facilities only for residents of Delhi. Court branded it-“illegal” & “unconstitutional”!” Mr. Panwar tweeted with a copy of the order attached.
“Kejriwal ji please answer:
1) Why are 72% Corona beds in 5 Delhi Govt. Hospitals vacant, whereas people are dying daily!? 2) Why are 33 of 38 Hospitals under Delhi Govt. not accepting Corona patients? 3) Why are Cremations delayed but 5-6 days after Corona death?” asked Mr. Panwar in another tweet.
