Letter by LG's office misleading media regarding heat action plan by Delhi govt: Saurabh Bharadwaj

New Delhi [India], May 29 : Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday in response to the letter issued by the latter's office to the Chief Secretary of Delhi. Bharadwaj in his letter slammed Saxena for misleading the media by falsely claiming that the ministers didn't convene any meeting regarding the Heat Action Plan in the city.
In the letter addressed to VK Saxena, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "I am writing this in response to misleading DO letter no. SLG/Conf. 2024/7520, dated 29.05.2024 issued by your good office, under your directions, to the Chief Secretary of Delhi, whereby you have shown your concern about thousands of common people and street vendors, who spend their day on the footpaths in Delhi."
The letter added further, "Your good office has also tried to mislead the media by falsely claiming that no meeting has been convened by the concerned ministers regarding the Heat Action Plan in the city. Though it has become the usual practice of LG office to cast such aspersions, but in the interest of larger people and residents of Delhi, it is to put on record that in the last two years, during your tenure as LG of Delhi, lakhs of poor people have been rendered homeless, particularly by the agencies, which directly come under the control of BJP ruled Central Government."
Bharadwaj in his address continued to target Delhi LG and said, "In the last two years, lakhs of people have been rendered homeless due to demolitions by the central agencies like DDA, L&DO, Railways and ASI. There have been demolitions at Tuglakabad, Gosia Colony, DPS Mathura Road and Nizamudeen Colony etc."
He added in his letter, "It is also worth noting that many homeless shelters were destroyed by the officers of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), whereby records suggest that those destructions were done on the directions of Delhi Development Authority (DDA). It is needless to say that LG is the Chairman of DDA and in spite of the fact that the concerned officers of DUSIB did not take these directions from the elected Government and no action was taken against the concerned officers. This proves that LG has no intent to take action against those officers, who have destroyed the night shelters of homeless people in the city rendering thousands of such people homeless without roof in such hot weather."
The letter by Saurabh Bharadwaj also informed about the advisories being given by the health department since March. "It is also being put on record that Heat Waves Advisory is being given by the Department of Health for the last two months starting from 08.03.2024," the letter said.
"On 08.03.2024, all the CDMOS of 11 Districts of Delhi were sent the guidelines regarding the measures to manage the heat-related illnesses in health facilities. It included the advisory regarding daily recording and reporting of heat stroke cases, availability of adequate quantity of ORS, essential medicines, IV Fluids and ice-packs etc. It also included the advice to ensure sufficient drinking water and cooling appliances in the waiting and patient treatment area. It also advised for shelters / shed in health facilities to reduce the direct exposure to the sun. Similarly, advisory was issued to all the Medical Superintendents of all hospitals, health care institutions of Central Government, Delhi Government, ESI, NDMC, MCD, Army, Cantonment, Railways, Autonomous & Private," the letter added.
Bharadwaj also asserted that the advisory dated March 8, 2024 was sent to all the schools for preparedness related to the heat-related illness. "It was advised to avoid students' assembly in the schools during the afternoon shift. It was also advised to ensure that the students are given water breaks during classes. It was also advised to sensitize the students to cover their heads and use umbrellas, hats, caps, towels and other traditional head gear during direct exposure to sunlight i.e. while leaving/coming to schools during the day time. Similar advice was also given to the Director (Education) / Head of Education Deptt. of MCD, NDMC, Central Schools, Cantonment Board, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (NJV)," the letter said.
The Delhi Minister in his letter also claimed that on April 18, an advisory was also issued to the Police Commissioner of Delhi, which falls under the control of LG, about the measures to be taken by the department in the wake of severe heat.
"It was also advised to the Delhi Police that the police personnel working in the field like traffic police should have access to drinking water. It was also advised that Delhi Police may issue appropriate directions to the organisations seek permission for any event where mass gathering is expected, regarding ensuring the availability of sufficient drinking water and shaded areas," the letter said.
Bharadwaj also said that on May 27, after a review meeting, he addressed a press briefing in his office, where he informed the media persons that though advisories are being regularly given by the health department, they will again be reiterated and they were duly sent on May 27.
"On 27.5.2024, I had again directed the officers concerned to send advisories to all the departments in the wake of rising temperature in Delhi after a review meeting with the departmental officers followed by a press briefing for public awareness on the subject. The Health Department, accordingly issued letters to all the departments viz. DUSIB, DTC, Delhi Building Construction Workers' Welfare Board, Social Welfare Department, Women & Child Development Department, DMRC, all Hospitals, PWD, Delhi Fire Service, and medical superintendents of various Hospitals," according to the letter.
Bharadwaj in his letter stated that the office of the LG without confirming the facts from the Department of Health, has tried to mislead the media by sending false information in communication to the Chief Secretary of Delhi and sharing the same with the media.
"The office of LG is a very respectable position in the constitution of India and such frivolous accusations by his office demean the status of the constitutional position," the letter stated.
Notably, Saurabh Bharadwaj had addressed a press conference regarding the issue and had advised him to avoid such actions as it greatly reduces the dignity of his position.