The Delhi Assembly, on the second day of the Monsoon Session on Friday passed a resolution recommending that Bharat Ratna be conferred on “Bharatiya doctors” collectively.

The resolution, introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj in the House, also recommended doctors and paramedical staff in Delhi who have served during the Covid-19 pandemic be selected for the Padma Awards.

Speaking on the resolution, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that doctors served patients when their own families did not want to touch them.

“The Delhi Government has decided we will recommend names of only doctors and paramedic staff for Padma Awards. We have to recommend these names by September 15. The city Government made an announcement in this regard on July 27 and it has already received 2,100 nominations so far,” said the Chief Minister.

“We urge the Centre to give Padma Awards to all such doctors across the country and we also demand that Bharat Ratna be given collectively to India doctors.

When Covid started, we made lodging arrangements for doctors in 5-star hotels. We had also decided that all coronavirus-related orders will be passed in consultation with doctors. We received complete support from all hospitals and the medical fraternity,” said the CM.

The Delhi Government had announced that it would  provide Rs  1 crore to families of doctors who lost their life on duty due to the coronavirus and this boosted their morale, the Chief Minister said.

“We have given Rs 1 crore ex-gratia in many cases. I personally went to give this money to these families,” he said.