CM meets LG, seeks nod to doorstep delivery and health care schemes

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday called on Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, urging him to approve the Delhi government's Doorstep Delivery of Public Services and Quality Health care for All schemes, which the LG had earlier asked the government to review.

"The Delhi Government has sent files of Doorstep delivery and Quality Healthcare for all schemes to the L-G for reconsideration," said a senior official of the government on Thursday.

"I urge Hon'ble LG to approve these two schemes. Both are of significant public interest. People of Delhi would benefit a lot with their implementation," the Chief Minister tweeted on Thursday.

Both the schemes were approved by the Delhi Cabinet last year, but the LG offered various suggestions and asked the government to reconsider both the schemes.

Following this, the Delhi government blamed the LG for "rejecting" the recently announced doorstep delivery project, leading to a fresh flashpoint between the two.

The LG's office, however, denied the charge and clarified that the proposal was "not rejected" but, instead, sent back to "reconsider" its present form.

Citing privacy and safety concerns, the LG's office suggested that the system be digitised so that citizens are able to avail the services online.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in a series of tweets, had replied that most of these services were already digital, yet long queues in offices were seen.

"Most of these services r already digital. Yet, long queues in offices. Despite digitalization, most people still hv to run around govt offices with docs etc. Under doorstep delivery scheme, a govt rep wud visit ur house on a ph call to collect, certify n upload ur docs," Sisodia had tweeted on December 26 last year.

In another tweet, Sisodia had claimed that "LG has taken decision without knowing field reality. Announcement of doorstep delivery scheme was welcomed by all sections of society. Huge setback in Del govt's efforts to provide good and corruption free governance.."

The Deputy CM had also questioned the LG's sweeping powers , tweeting, "Should LG have power to express difference of opinion with elected govt on such critical matters of public interest n be able to scuttle such measures? Public hugely suffering because of that..."

Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that the LG's objection to the Quality Health care for All scheme is due to "lack of knowledge of ground realities" and that it will render the scheme "unworkable".