'No Clampdown On Information Shared On Social Media For Help': SC On Oxygen Crisis And Covid Management

No state should clamp down on information if citizens communicate their grievances on social media, the Supreme Court said today

'No Clampdown On Information Shared On Social Media For Help': SC On Oxygen Crisis

The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the situation on issues related to oxygen supply, drug supply, and the havoc created by Covid 19. The SC said that no state should clamp down on information if citizens communicate their grievances on social media.

“It is grave concern to me as a citizen or judge. If citizens communicate their grievances on social media, we do not want to clamp down on information. Let us hear the voices of citizens,” Justice DY Chandrahud said during the hearing in the top court.

"There should not be any presumption that (the) grievances raised on the internet by citizens are false," the court insisted.

Hostels, temples, mosques, and religious places of worship should be opened to tackle the Covid spike, it further suggested.

“What happens to the marginalised and SC/ST population? Should they be left to the mercy of private hospitals, it asked. The court also said the government must consider National Immunisation Programme for various vaccines and must think of providing free of cost vaccination to all citizens.

The Court also suggested that if the health care system is burdened then the retired doctors should be rehired. 

The apex court also said asked the centre to share the investment update for the manufacturing of vaccines. “This will be the most important intervention by Central government when private manufacturers have been funded to produce vaccines,” Chandrachud added. 

The Supreme Court also asked that will one state get priority access over another in getting the vaccines?

“Centre says 50% will be procured by states for vaccines. How will the vaccine manufacturers ensure equity? Centre to submit exact population between 18 to 45,” the top court said. The top court also said that private vaccine manufacturers cannot be allowed to decide which state should get how much.