New Delhi, July 8 (). Allegations and counter-allegations have intensified in Delhi politics regarding the alleged drug procurement scam of Rs 650 crore. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held symbolic demonstrations outside government hospitals in the capital for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. In this sequence, the workers, under the leadership of Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj, surrounded the government by protesting outside Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital.
During this, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha and Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar were also present. Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that because of Delhi government, patients are not getting essential medicines in government hospitals.
He claimed that the government had committed a scam of Rs 650 crore in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment. He said that the party has been informing the public about this alleged scam outside different hospitals for the last three days and a demonstration will also be held outside Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital on Thursday.
The AAP leader alleged that the purchase of medicines worth Rs 100 crore was shown as Rs 400 crore, from which an alleged commission of Rs 300 crore was taken. Apart from this, an allegation was also made that an X-ray machine worth Rs 10 lakh was purchased for Rs 33 lakh and a bedsheet worth Rs 150 was purchased for Rs 450. He claimed that there were huge irregularities in these procurement processes.
Saurabh Bhardwaj also alleged that Rajiv Rangeela, who is said to be the main accused in this case, was sent out of the country to Germany even before the investigation could begin. He said that when the main accused is not in the country then how can the investigation be fair. He also accused the government of misleading the public in the name of investigation.
Meanwhile, MLA Sanjeev Jha said that the condition of government hospitals is very bad. He claimed that patients are not getting adequate facilities in GTB Hospital, beds are torn and there is shortage of medicines. He said that if the allegations of corruption are true then immediate action should be taken against the concerned contractors and responsible officials.
He also raised the question as to why no major accused has been arrested till now after the ACB FIR was registered.
Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar also accused the government, saying that medicines and other medical supplies were purchased at prices many times higher than the market price. He alleged that despite the pending vigilance investigation, Dr. Vatsala Aggarwal was made the head of DGHS, which should be impartially investigated.
He demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, taking moral responsibility. During the demonstration, AAP leaders also demanded an impartial investigation into the matter from the central investigating agencies. He said that if the allegations are true then the entire matter should be investigated by CBI and ED so that the truth of the alleged scam can be revealed.
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PKT/DKP