Max Hospital reopens, sets off war of words

NEW DELHI: Days after its licence was cancelled by the Delhi government for declaring a live newborn baby dead, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh resumed its operations on Wednesday.

Authorities at the hospital said that it resumed operations after the Court of Finance Commissioner on Tuesday put on hold the Delhi government's December 8 order.

While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday slammed Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for revoking the licence cancellation, the Bharatiya Janata Party hit back at the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

AAP leader Dilip Pandey said the court has given the Lieutenant Governor all administrative powers of Delhi and he should be accountable, adding that his party doubted whether the appellate authority who stayed their government's decision "worked for the people or for crony capitalists".

Explaining the whole issue, chief Delhi spokesperson of AAP Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "The Finance commissioner who has stated Delhi government's decision on Max Hospital is appointed by the LG and exercises powers delegated to him by the LG himself. It is using these delegated powers that the official has attempted to shield Max hospital. The role of the BJP Central government appointed LG in protecting Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh has clearly been established."

Meanwhile, slamming the AAP-led Delhi government, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said, "Chief Minister Kejriwal needs to tell Delhi what deal did he struck with the Max Hospital administration, for preparing a legally weak case that could not stand for a single date?"

Tiwari further said that Kejriwal is "a master at scripting such gimmicks, with which he can emotionally attach to people for political gains. The legally unsubstantiated ban was just aimed to mislead people."

Meanwhile, an official statement from Baijal's office distanced itself from the decision.

"The matter with respect to Max Hospital licence is not before the LG. It is before the Court of Financial Commissioner. It is also clarified that no Max officials have met the LG or any officer of Raj Niwas," the statement said.

It also clarified the powers of appellate authority, being a quasi-judicial function are performed by the Financial Commissioner, Delhi as per his/her judgment without any interference or supervision by any authority.

"It may also be noted that the orders of the Financial Commissioner, Delhi can be challenged by an aggrieved person or entity, if any, before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi under its writ jurisdiction. It appears that a misinformation campaign was launched by vested interests, whereas the office of L-G at no stage is or was involved in this matter," the statement noted.