By Shri Ram Shaw
New Delhi, 20 April: Extending its full support to Delhi government in its endeavor to combat Covid cases, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAT) has urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to issue a white paper on the surging corona cases and the “poor medical facilities” in the national capital.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the white paper should state what is the government’s future strategy to deal with the corona crisis and whether the government needs any support from the public, traders or organizations of residential colonies and if so, what has the government planned for it.
“Though the Kejriwal government has imposed a 6-day lock-down, it may only reduce the spread of the cases to some extent. But the larger question is what after the lock down?”, he added.
Khandelwal said that the people of Delhi have every right to know how the government will control the corona after the lock down is over. Under the present circumstances, it can’t be left to the Chief Minister alone.
He further said, “Situation on the ground is certainly very horrible that hospitals do not have beds, oxygen, ventilators, medicines are not available, Covid testing is not being done properly. People are suffering and no one is there to listen to them. The Delhi government had issued a list to get Remidisivir injection but the reality is that this injection is not available even in those places. People are dying. Everyone is helpless. Money has lost its relevance in case of covid treatment or for obtaining medicines. Who is responsible for such a pathetic situation?”
Khandelwal demanded that Kejriwal should immediately release the concrete blueprint of his schemes in the form of White Paper and a plan as to how the availability of medical help will be augmented. He said that instead of just trusting the officers, the Chief Minister himself should take to the streets to see the ground reality himself and then take necessary steps. “The time for advertising on TV is over and there is a need to work on the road. Delhi traders are committed to fully support the government in its endeavor to combat covid crisis in Delhi,” he added.
Khandelwal alleged that it is ironic that on issues of traders, Kejriwal listens only to a handful of persons who are more of a “yes men” to him. He has shown his double face as far as CAIT is concerned. Nevertheless, in this time of crisis Delhi Trade Associations are fully geared up to join the hands with Delhi Government to save the people from the pandemic.