Not funds, availability of PPE a problem, Kejri tells Gautam
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Monday, said that the need of the hour for the city was not funds to deal with the coronavirus outbreak but making protective gear available for those in the frontline in the fight against the rapidly spreading virus.
Mr Kejriwal made this comment in response to cricketer turned politician Gautam Gambhir’s criticism.
Mr Gambhir said that the Kejriwal government has “massive egos” in not accepting an earlier offer for funds made by the BJP parliamentarian from East Delhi.
Mr Kejriwal and Mr Gambhir had an exchange on micro blogging site Twitter after the latter pledged an additional allocation of Rs 50 lakh from his MP local area development (MP LAD) funds to the Delhi government in its efforts to contain coronavirus. He hit out at the
Kejriwal government for what he termed as “massive egos” in not accepting his offer for funds.
“CM Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy say funds are needed. However, their massive egos didn’t allow them to take Rs 50 lakh from my LAD fund earlier. I pledged Rs 50 lakh more so that innocents don’t suffer. Rs 1 crore would at least solve the urgent need for masks and PPE kits. Hope they prioritise Delhi,” Mr Gambhir tweeted.
In less than an hour, Mr
Kejriwal responded to the East Delhi MP’s attack, saying that his government is ready to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) if Mr Gambhir could help them in sourcing the kits.
“We would be grateful if you could help us get them from somewhere immediately; Delhi government will buy them. Thank you,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted, quoting Mr Gambhir’s tweet.
Delhi has reported over 500 coronavirus cases and seven deaths.