New Delhi: On Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explained to the Supreme Court that the country is in dire need of oxygen. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the prevailing grim situation and said it wanted a national plan on issues, including supply of oxygen and essential drugs for treatment of patients infected with the virus.
According to ANI, CJI SA Bobde said that the court will hear the matter tomorrow.
A three-judge bench of Supreme Court, headed by CJI SA Bobde, asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to submit or inform it by providing a national plan and that it would also consider the issue pertaining to method and manner of COVID-19 vaccination in the country. The SC took into record the fact that at least 6 different High Courts have been hearing the matter.
The bench, also comprising Justices L N Rao and S R Bhat, said it would examine the aspect relating to power of the high courts to declare lockdown amid the pandemic.
The apex court appointed senior advocate Harish Salve as an amicus curiae to assist it in the suo motu proceedings said a PTI report. CJI was quoted as saying, "we have 4 issues primarily in mind - supply of oxygen, supply of essential drugs, manner of vaccination are among them".
The bench has issued notice to the Centre and said it would hear the matter on Friday.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference and said that the national capital need 700 MT of oxygen daily and is receiving 480 MT for now. He thanked Centre for increasing the supply but appealed to other states not to stop oxygen trucks that are coming in. Kejriwal also said that he is ready to help other states if possible. Highlighting the dire situation, Health Minister Satyendar Jain gave a solemn reply on being asked about the situation of Oxygen supply in Delhi hospitals. "Situation is different in different hospitals; 6 hours in some, 8 in others 10 in some others. We can't call this a comfortable situation," Delhi Health Minister said.