The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, health authorities, and others amid a fresh dispute between the AAP government and the LG over the alleged blocking of funds for the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme.
Under this scheme, road accident victims receive free treatment in hospitals.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sudhanshu Dhulia issued notices to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the city government’s Directorate General of Health Services, among others, and sought their replies on the plea.
“We don’t understand this. One wing of the government is fighting with another wing of the government. Issue notice,” the bench said.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, highlighted that 23,000 road accident victims have been provided cashless treatment in private hospitals. “I keep on writing and begging. They stop payments. How is health under the LG? This is completely social welfare and no politics is involved,” Singhvi said.
The ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme encourages people to rescue those involved in road accidents, with the government covering the hospital bills of the victims.
The Delhi government’s petition seeks the immediate revival of the scheme, claiming it has become “defunct” due to the non-release of funds. It demands the prompt clearance of pending bills for private hospitals and the initiation of disciplinary action, including suspension, against errant officials.
“Hospitals are now reluctant to accept accident victims, and this scheme has practically become defunct for more than a year since payments to the majority of the hospitals have not been made. This has had a catastrophic impact on the medical aid available to victims of road accidents, and lives are being lost on the streets for want of timely and effective treatment…Despite repeated reminders and directions by the Department of Health & Family Welfare and the concerned Minister regarding clearance of pending bills of the private hospitals, the Defaulting Officials neither cleared the pending bills nor made timely payments to the private hospitals which have provided cashless treatment to victims of road accidents,” the petition said.
Labeling the non-payment of bills an attempt to “sabotage” the scheme, the petition accused health department officials of inaction and mismanagement, denouncing their lackadaisical attitude. It also sought action against Dr. Nutan Mundeja, a former Director General of Health Services (DGHS), and Dr. S.B. Deepak Kumar, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare.
