The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-led Delhi government has stopped issuing Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates, impacting thousands of families relying on them for access to education, healthcare, and employment.
AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the government has officially decided to pause the issuance of new EWS certificates. “The government will examine the EWS certificates issued so far as there is an apprehension that a large number of ineligible people have been issued EWS certificates. No new EWS certificates will be issued by the revenue department till further orders,” he said, citing the minutes of an official meeting.
Impact on Students and Patients
Bharadwaj highlighted the immediate implications for students applying to institutions like Delhi University and Indraprastha University, which require EWS certification for the 10% reserved quota.
He also raised concerns that the pause in issuance could prevent EWS patients from receiving hospital treatment and services reserved for them.
“This government is entirely anti-poor,” Bharadwaj stated. He accused the administration of making a “deliberate attempt” to benefit private institutions by restricting EWS access, ultimately depriving underprivileged citizens of critical opportunities.
AAP Questions Lack of Action Against Officials
Targeting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Bharadwaj questioned the decision to halt public services rather than taking action against erring officials allegedly involved in issuing fake certificates.
“How many officials has she suspended? If the certificates were wrongly issued, why hasn’t any Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Additional District Magistrate (ADM), or District Magistrate (DM) faced action?” he asked.
He further alleged that this move was an attempt by the BJP to protect private institutions and avoid accountability for existing flaws in the certificate issuance system.
BJP Responds, Denies Certificate Suspension
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the allegations, clarifying that EWS certificate issuance had not been stopped. He explained that Chief Minister Gupta only instructed officials to draft proper guidelines to prevent misuse.
“The economically weaker sections would continue getting benefits,” Sachdeva asserted, adding that AAP was spreading misinformation to deflect attention from its own failings.
BJP Alleges Irregularities Under AAP Rule
Sachdeva further accused AAP of facilitating the issuance of fake EWS and caste certificates during its governance between 2015 and 2024. These fraudulent documents, he claimed, were used to secure school admissions, hospital benefits, and other public services.
“The people of Delhi understand why Saurabh Bharadwaj is creating a controversy. He fears an investigation will expose a massive scam,” Sachdeva said.
