Congress backs striking doctors, asks Delhi Govt to address issues

New Delhi, Jun 22: Extending support to the striking doctors, Congress today asked the Delhi government to address their demands immediately as the possibility of spurt in cases of illnesses lurks with the advent of monsoon.

The Congress also took potshots at both the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and the AAP dispensation in Delhi, saying people have become orphan due to the tussle between the two authorities and claimed the city suffered from "policy paralysis" in governance. [Delhi: Over 20,000 resident doctors in 25 govt hospitals go on strike]

"All government hospital doctors have called strike. Their issues are basic ones. Basic things for patients' facility like availability of drinking water, life saving drugs, generic drugs. Doctors have also not received salaries for some months. We are supporting these demands," Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee told reporters.

Mukherjee further accused Delhi Government and the Centre of being ignorant towards doctors' demands, saying requests by medicos to Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard have gone unheard until now.

"Doctors have sent memorandum to L-G, CM and Prime Minister. But nothing has happened. So, what we feel is Delhi's governance is suffering from stagnation, complete policy paralysis. We demand the BJP Government, its MPs from the city to look into the matter," she said.

Over 2,000 doctors of hospitals run by the central and Delhi governments and civic corporations launched an indefinite strike, demanding adequate supply of life saving drugs, security at workplace, fixed duty hours and timely payment of their salaries.

Mukherjee said the people in Delhi are set to suffer further as the civic bodies and the state's Public Works Department have failed to de-silt the city's drainage systems even as monsoon is around and added the present situation is unprecedented.

"Public in Delhi has become orphaned. People are suffering in the battle between Delhi Government and the Centre. Such situation never cropped up in Delhi earlier. No work is taking place. Monsoon is around. You all know how dengue spreads in Delhi. There is no planning to tackle it. De-silting works are not taking place. Only blame game is going on," she said.

Meanwhile, Congress lambasted Kejriwal alleging that he was "wasting" public money for promotion of his government. Referring to a Supreme Court (SC) decision against using photographs of individuals in public advertisements, Mukherjee said the government's campaign is not in violation of the order, but added the court order meant that "there should be no glorification of any politician using public money".

"It (the campaign) is not violation of SC order. But what was the intention of the SC order? That there should be no glorification of any politician using public money. So, Kejriwal's photos are missing from the campaign, but his name is there.

"I appreciate Kejriwal's brain. He is not using photos, but name. Both the MCD and Delhi Government keep saying there is financial crisis at their level. But they are wasting public money this way," she said.

Taking a jibe at AAP Government for slashing planned budget (meant for developmental activities) from vote on account earlier, Mukherjee hoped the dispensation brings "sensible" budget during the session which begins tomorrow.

PTI