As Delhi LG Rejects Panel On Oxygen Deaths, Dy CM Manish Sisodia Asks 'What Does Centre Want To Hide?'

Manish Sisodia's statement comes after Delhi Government sent a file to the LG office again seeking approval to form a committee to investigate deaths caused by oxygen crisis in the national capital.

New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has put up a serious accusation against the Union government, alleging that it is not allowing for a committee to be formed on finding out about the deaths caused by Oxygen supply shortage amid the second wave of COVID pandemic.

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has again rejected the Delhi Government's request to set up a panel to investigate the deaths due to oxygen shortage, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia informed on Friday.

"The central government has again rejected the proposal to form a committee to investigate the deaths due to lack of oxygen. On one hand, they do this drama of asking the states for figures of deaths caused by O2 shortage, on the other, they stop the inquiry committee (on it). Finally, what does the central government want to hide?" Sisodia wrote on Twitter.

 

In reference to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister's allegation, news agency ANI quoted Union Government sources as saying: "The statements made by the Deputy CM are misleading, to say the least. Neither the LG nor GoI have said that deaths due to oxygen shortage should not be probed".

"What has been said earlier on 6.7.2021 and repeated again on 19.8.2021 is that a high-level committee constituted as per SC directions, where apart from senior and reputed Doctors, the ACS (Health), GNCTD is also a member, is already looking into the matter," they added.

"It has submitted its interim report and is working on the final report. LG as well as Health Minister, GoI have reiterated that the said committee should be allowed to do its work. Setting up of another committee for the same purpose will only create confusion. The government has also been advised to follow the directions of Courts in the matter," the sources said as quoted by ANI.

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also the nodal minister for COVID management in the national capital. His statement comes after Delhi Government sent a file to the LG office again seeking approval to form a committee to investigate deaths caused by oxygen crisis in the national capital.

In June this year, the Delhi Government had formed a four-member panel to look into the deaths due to the shortage of the critical supply. However, the committee was rejected by the LG.