AAP ‘mismanaged’ Covid funds: Delhi CM Gupta tables second CAG report

The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party)-led Delhi government “grossly mismanaged” the Covid-19 pandemic response in the national capital, utilising only Rs 582.84 crore of the Rs 787.91 crore released by the Central government, according to Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, who has cited the latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.

The report, tabled by Gupta on Friday, claims serious lapses in financial management and healthcare infrastructure under the previous AAP administration.

The performance audit covers the period from 2016-17 to 2021-22 and presents an evaluation of the state’s healthcare system, including AAP's flagship mohalla clinics and government hospitals.

The CAG report paints a grim picture of some of these clinics, which were a cornerstone of AAP’s health policy. The audit reportedly found that:

• 21 clinics lacked toilet facilities

• 41 clinics shut for 15–23 days a month

• 15 clinics did not have power backup

• 6 clinics lacked basic check-up tables

• 12 clinics were not accessible to people with disabilities

• Staff shortage to the tune of 23 per cent doctors, 16 per cent nurses, 37 per cent paramedics

The state of AYUSH dispensaries was no better, with:

• 17 of 49 inspected dispensaries lacking power backup

• 7 dispensaries without toilet facilities

• 14 dispensaries lacking drinking water

These findings have sparked fresh controversy over AAP’s governance, with critics questioning the party’s claims of revolutionising Delhi’s healthcare system, and Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa launching a scathing attack on the AAP administration, alleging large-scale corruption and mismanagement of healthcare funds.

"This report exposes how former CM Arvind Kejriwal looted Delhi in the name of hospitals and health services. There was no power supply in mohalla clinics. The CAG report clearly states that Arvind Kejriwal is a kattar beimaan (hardcore dishonest person),” Sirsa said.

In response, the AAP dismissed the allegations, saying the BJP government is orchestrating a political narrative using routine audit reports. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar stated, "The CAG report was earlier sent by (former CM) Atishi ji to the speaker in a sealed envelope and was to be presented in the House. This is a normal thing, but our MLAs being thrown out of the assembly premises is not a normal thing."

This comes amid CAG’s audit on the AAP's excise policy which has been sent to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for further examination.

The 165-page report, tabled on 25 February, flagged a Rs 2,026.91 crore revenue loss under the scrapped 2021-22 excise policy, blaming it on a weak framework and deficient implementation.

This adds to the legal troubles surrounding AAP leaders, as multiple investigations — both by the CAG and Enforcement Directorate (ED) — have been targeting the party’s governance decisions.

The political battle in Delhi is heating up, with the BJP using these reports to target the AAP. In response, AAP has been protesting against what it calls disrespect to Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Led by Atishi, now leader of opposition in the assembly, several AAP MLAs staged an aggressive demonstration. Atishi has also written to speaker Vijender Gupta, demanding the revocation of the suspension of 21 AAP MLAs.

"BJP first ensured the expulsion of AAP MLAs from the Assembly when they raised 'jai Bhim' slogans, and today, they obstructed the entry of the LoP and other MLAs into the House. Later, when AAP MLAs, led by the LoP, marched to meet the President, the Delhi Police stopped them midway," the party alleged.