The AAP-led Delhi governments’ intervention in the spheres of health and education was marked by a lot of fanfare, for what it brought to the citizens of the city-state. Accomplishing the goals of affordability and betterment of services in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, thus bringing governance a step closer to the lives of ordinary citizens.
Before, the citizens somehow managed to be part of the process, as numbers in showcasing the success of government schemes.
But, with the advent of the Aam Admi Party in the political landscape of Delhi, a lot of significant systematic and structural changes have taken place. Be it at the point of citizen-government engagement and arrangement, or the volunteer chain command, addressing the grievances at a community level by the tacit support of party workers and leaders.
Kejriwal made headlines for this fact, getting a lot of attention and attraction from in and around. Be it for the Mohalla clinics, Mohalla Sabhas, restructuring of government schools and a host of initiatives aimed at ameliorating the setup from within.
A lot of world leaders, diplomats and delegates have visited a few of their government schools, which became a talking point in Kejriwal’s last tenure as Chief Minister.
He has been rewarded with laurels, appreciations and acknowledgements for all he’s done and could do in his capability and potential. Marked by a series of claims and counterclaims in the backdrop of tussles and feuds, featured in their assent, while dealing with a tough centre with an acute sense of belief in the centralization and concentration of power.
Delhi being a semi-state, where except for land, law and order, and police, the government in Delhi can draft policy rules, regulations and legislations. The lieutenant-governor can come in if any of the provisions of their policy legislation violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution. In a recent case, the LG overturned the Delhi Government’s plan to reserve hospital beds in Delhi for the people of the city.
CM Kejriwal’s decision to reserve Delhi administration-owned hospitals and other general private hospitals in the capital for treatment of the residents of the city-state drew ire from in and around, as people living in the NCR region are dependent on the health facilities provided in Delhi hospitals. How would they manage? Who will burden their responsibility? Shouldn’t there be an honest response from the agencies and authorities of the Delhi government?
Why should you allow waivers, like free water and electricity, to count as your major successes, when instead the situation in many of the Delhi Government hospitals is frail. Why aren’t they putting in the resources to uplift the services and standards?
Even though the Delhi Government has implemented the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, glaring gaps are still visible in the wake of COVID-19.
Hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitation are missing, apart from the lack of medical equipment. Private hospitals are charging exorbitant fees, and denying treatment to patients, as the situation remains grim and worrisome.
Thus, overhauling the setup by taking each and everyone into confidence in an attempt to resurrect whatever lies before us, it is we who have to take the charge and command. Substantive rather than procedural.