AAP seeks extension of deadline to ascertain oxygen deaths, demands formation of probe committee

The government has also demanded to initiate a probe to investigate the fatalities related to oxygen supply.

"The Centre has given us a deadline of August 13 to furnish a report identifying the deaths of Covid-19 patients caused due to the lack of oxygen which we got to know a few days ago.

"I've written to the Union health minister that the August 13 deadline is too short to determine the count of people who died due to oxygen scarcity. I've also demanded to allow the formation of a committee that will investigate the matter," the deputy CM said during a digital address.

Sisodia called the August 13 deadline unrealistic, while also calling the approach of the Centre to document oxygen-related deaths insensitive and impractical.

"25,000 people have lost their lives in Delhi due to Covid-19 so far. We don't believe in the notion that no one among them died in dearth of Oxygen supply just because there is no evidence to ascertain that. What the Union government is trying to do will only mock the misery of those who lost their loved ones," he said.

"A thorough investigation is required for accountability of the matter. Only compiling the dead would not suffice. Those who behaved negligently and brought misery (oxygen-related deaths) must be held accountable for justice," Sisodia deliberated.

The issue started on Monday when AAP minister, citing news reports, claimed that the Delhi government did not receive any communication from the Centre to report the deaths caused due shortage of oxygen supply.

However, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday countered his claim in a tweet along with a screenshot of the July 26 email showing the addresses to which the mail was sent seeking the information.

The screenshot showed two emails addressed to the Delhi government.

Responding to this, Sisodia said during his digital address whether the Delhi government received the communication from the Centre is "a very small issue and not worthy of discussion".

The AAP government had earlier formed a committee to probe the deaths related to oxygen amid the second wave, however, it was stalled by the LG Anil Baijal.