'Will Hang Anyone Blocking Oxygen Supply': Delhi HC Amid Oxygen Shortage In The Country

he Delhi High Court said on Saturday that if any official at the central, state or local administration was obstructing in the picking up or supply of oxygen, then it would "hang" that person.

People waiting with empty oxygen cylinder (Image: PTI)

Delhi High Court heard another plea by the hospitals on oxygen shortage and raised questions to the Centre that when will the oxygen scarcity end in the country? The Delhi government told the court that the system will "collapse" if the capital doesn't get 480 metric tonnes of oxygen. To this, the court asked the centre that why the national capital is yet to receive the required amount of oxygen.

The Delhi High Court also said that if any official at the central, state or local administration was obstructing in the picking up or supply of oxygen, then it would "hang" that person.

The court told the Delhi government to inform the Centre also about such officials of the local administration so that it could take action against them.

Several hospitals are facing an acute shortage of Oxygen and are even losing the lives of their patients. The hospitals are overwhelmed by the situation and said to the Delhi High Court in their plea, "If we don't get 480 metric tonnes (of oxygen), the system will collapse. We have seen in the last 24 hours. Something disastrous will happen."

In response to the situation raised by the hospitals, the Delhi HC said, " It is the same situation every day. When will Delhi get 480 metric tonnes? Please tell us that, give us a definite date".

The High Court also asked the Centre when the 480 metric tonne (MT) of oxygen per day allocated for Delhi would see the light of the day.

The Kejriwal govt also informed the court that it received only 297 metric tonnes of oxygen yesterday. The state government also said that they don't have detailed information by the centre about the oxygen allocation and its supply schedule and demanded an affidavit for the same.

Delhi's Batra hospital also raised the issue that 33 patients are in ICU and 160 patients need oxygen urgently.

Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital also raised the matter after 25 patients died on Friday night due to oxygen shortage.

In today's hearing, the centre had earlier put the blame back on the AAP government. "States are arranging from tankers to everything. We are just assisting them. But in Delhi, everything is put on us. Delhi officials have to do their job," the centre said.

The Central government also said to the court, "Some hospitals have a hold on the supply chain and even they can't get it.. wherever these plants are situated, local officers are sitting there. They are only rationing it at the end. They are diverting to their own States."