The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasized the need for a lasting resolution to disputes between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG), following the release of funds for a scheme benefiting road accident victims.
The bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, made the observation after the Delhi government confirmed the release of funds for the “Farishtey Dilli Ke” scheme. This initiative ensures free medical treatment for road accident victims in city hospitals, with the government covering their medical expenses to encourage bystanders to assist in saving lives.
The court was hearing a plea from the Delhi government seeking to revive the scheme by clearing pending hospital bills, releasing payments to private hospitals, and taking action against officials allegedly responsible for its operational halt.
Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the Delhi government, informed the court that funds were released following its notice in December 2023. Consequently, the Delhi government chose not to pursue the petition further.
The bench noted that the issue had been resolved and subsequently disposed of the plea.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court had sought responses from the LG’s office and others after the Delhi government alleged that funds for the scheme had been deliberately withheld. Expressing concern, the court remarked, “We don’t understand this—one wing of the government is fighting with another wing of the government.”
The Delhi government’s plea had accused the health department officials of deliberate inaction and mismanagement, resulting in non-payment of hospital bills and an effective suspension of the scheme. It stated that hospitals were hesitant to admit accident victims as payments to most facilities had been delayed for over a year. Repeated reminders and directives from the Health and Family Welfare Department and the concerned minister went unheeded, leaving private hospitals uncompensated for providing cashless treatment to accident victims, the plea added.
