Common man suffering from health atrocities due to misgovernance by AAP-BJP duo: Congress

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi on Thursday said his party has requested the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene and direct the AAP government to ensure that Coronavirus-hit areas be kept in containment with realistic, scientific and efficacious definitions and demarcation.

"We hope and trust, but sadly do not expect, that the AAP and BJP, rather than indulging in optics, advertisements and diversionary tactics, will take our constructive suggestions into account for the betterment of the lives of the people of Delhi," said a press statement issued on behalf of Singhvi, DPCC PresidentAnil Chaudhary, and AICC National Media Panelist Aman Panwar.

While the common man suffers in Delhi, the AAP and BJP governments are engaged in a blame game and have not shown good governance in handling the Coronavirus crisis, Singhvi said.

He said thousands of people are running from pillar to post in search of beds and are fighting tooth and nail to even get COVID-19 test done, as bodies keep piling up.

"The health atrocities are a fundamental assault on human rights and we are very happy that the NHRC has taken this up," the Congress leader said.

Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has "proven to be a failure on every issue", be it in sending home labourers safely or making health arrangements in Delhi hospitals and handling the crisis.

Singhvi said it is heartening that the NHRC has acted promptly, strongly and categorically on the complaint of former Delhi Congress chief and ex-Union minister Ajay Maken.

"The common man suffers the highest degree of health atrocities for the political blame game, bickering and misgovernance or non governance of the duo AAP-BJP," he said at an online press conference.

"The BJP-AAP ruling diarchy has attempted to project an exemplar of how not to manage a crisis. These two mismanaging musketeers have cost Delhi dear, both in precious lives and the exponential and unceasing rise of the virus. This duo fiddles through cross allegations, passing the buck and scoring debating points over each other while the people and city of Delhi burn," Singhvi said.

Claiming that the Delhi government has reduced testing even as infections have risen substantially, he said, "It is astonishing that instead of progressing, it is regressing as far as testing is concerned."

Chaudhary said, "Neither was the AAP government able to send labourers safely, nor were they able to make health arrangements in hospitals in Delhi. Kejriwal is misleading the people of Delhi."

The Delhi Congress president said the chief minister had a big opportunity to prove himself, but he did nothing.

"Arvind Kejriwal was elected by the people of Delhi with a big majority as a hero, but the way he has handled the COVID crisis, he has proved to be a 'zero' on all fronts," he said.

The Congress presented a charter of demandsas part of the statement:

--That the NHRC shall direct the government that those who are suffering from Coronavirus and in need of beds, must be given admission without any further hardship. Further, at least 70% of Bed Capacity should be prepared and kept reserved for COVID-19 patients. Also the GNCTD shall designate at least 70% of its hospitals as COVID-19 Hospitals. Indeed, the LG and central government should also move in the same direction, though the percentages may be slightly changed, qua institutions and facilities in their jurisdiction and control.

--That the NHRC direct GNCTD to carry out testing at a war footing level.

--We requested that the NHRC to direct the GNCTD and the MCD to augment CNG crematorium facilities across the National Capital

--We have requested the NHRC to give appropriate directions to augment beds, ventilator capacity and other equipment as per the recommendations of Dr Mahesh Sharma Committee, within a period of 10 days

--We have requested the NHRC to intervene and direct the AAP Government to ensure that areas affected with outspread of COVID-19 shall remain contained with realistic, scientific and efficacious definitions and demarcation of containment zones.