Funds for 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme: SC notice to L-G office on Delhi govt's plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from Delhi lieutenant governor's office and others on a plea filed by the AAP government seeking release of funds for its 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme providing free treatment to accident victims.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sudhanshu Dhulia issued notices to Lt Gov Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Delhi government's Directorate General Of Health Services and others while seeking their replies on the plea.

"We don't understand this one wing of the government is fighting with another wing of the government. Issue notice," the bench said.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, submitted that 23,000 road accidents have been covered under the scheme.

"I keep on writing and begging. They stop payments. How is health under the L-G? This is completely social welfare and no politics is involved," Singhvi said.

The 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme encourages people to rescue those who have met with road accidents. Under it, the government foots the hospital bills of those who have met with accidents in the city.

The Delhi government's petition has sought immediate revival of the scheme, which it claimed has become "defunct" because of non-release of funds. It demanded that the pending bills of private hospitals be cleared promptly and disciplinary action, including suspension, initiated against errant officials.

"Hospitals are now reluctant to accept accident victims and this scheme has practically become defunct for more than a year since payments to the majority of the hospitals have not been made. This has had a catastrophic impact on the medical aid available to victims of road accidents, and lives are being lost on the streets for want of timely and effective treatment...

"Despite repeated reminders and directions by the Department of Health & Family Welfare and the concerned Minister regarding clearance of pending bills of the private hospitals, the Defaulting Officials neither cleared the pending bills nor made timely payments to the private hospitals which have provided cashless treatment to victims of road accidents," the petition said.

Calling non-payment of bills an attempt to "sabotage" the scheme, the petition accused health department officials of inaction and mismanagement, and denounced their lackadaisical attitude.

It also sought action against Dr. Nutan Mundeja, a former Director General of Health Services (DGHS), and Dr. S.B. Deepak Kumar, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare.