Fri Feb 28 21:51:28 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Government Under Scrutiny: CAG Report Reveals Mismanagement of COVID-19 Funds and Healthcare Deficiencies

**New Delhi, March 1, 2025** – A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Friday has revealed significant shortcomings in the Delhi government’s handling of public health infrastructure and services. The report, the second in a series of 14 examining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s performance, highlights underutilization of COVID-19 funds, delays in hospital projects, and severe staff shortages.

The CAG found that the Delhi government utilized only ₹582.84 crore of the ₹787.91 crore allocated by the central government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, despite promises of significant hospital bed expansion, only a meager 4.25% of the planned 32,000 beds were actually added between 2016-17 and 2021-22. The report also noted significant delays (up to six years) and cost overruns in the completion of three new hospitals, all initiated under previous administrations.

The audit uncovered critical staff shortages across various medical cadres, including doctors (52%), paramedical staff (56%), and nurses (32%) in four medical colleges. Overcrowding in hospitals was also a major concern, with bed occupancy rates exceeding 100% in numerous facilities. The report cited instances of underutilized operation theaters due to manpower shortages and lengthy surgery waiting times (one to ten months).

The CAG also criticized the government’s flagship Mohalla Clinics initiative, stating that approximately 70% of patients spent less than a minute with doctors. A significant number of clinics remained closed due to staff shortages. The report further revealed that the Health and Family Welfare Department failed to utilize 15 land plots acquired between 2007 and 2015 for establishing new healthcare facilities.

The AAP government responded to the report by accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the audit to deflect attention from its own governance failures. The BJP assumed power in Delhi after 27 years. The AAP claimed the BJP’s focus is on criticizing the previous regime rather than fulfilling its own promises.

The CAG report underscores serious concerns regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare management in Delhi and is expected to fuel further political debate.

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