Take Decision On Revised Allocation Of Oxygen To Tamil Nadu: Madras HC Directs Centre

The order came after Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan, who briefed the High Court on measures bring taken in the state for oxygen and Remdesivir, said the revised quantum was agreed upon by the Centre but a release order issued on May 5 did not include the state.

New Delhi: An oxygen tanker is used to refill medical oxygen at the LNJP Hospital, amid shortage of the gas due to rise in coronavirus cases, in New Delhi, Thursday, May, 6, 2021.

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government to take a decision by tomorrow on revised allocation of 475 tonnes of oxygen to Tamil Nadu.

The order came after Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan, who briefed the High Court on measures bring taken in the state for oxygen and Remdesivir, said the revised quantum was agreed upon by the Centre but a release order issued on May 5 did not include the state.

The Madras High Court asked the Centre to take note that Tamil Nadu needs 450 tonnes of oxygen per day and the reserves will last only till tomorrow.

With regard to many supplies/ cargo stuck at the airport, the Additional Solicitor General informed the Customs is clearing foreign aid cargo within 45 minutes to one hour.

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With the Puducherry Government stating they have no shortage of beds, the Madras High Court also said that it would not interfere if the Union Territory is doing well to fight Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government today imposed fresh restrictions for two weeks beginning today till May 20 to curb the spread of the virus.

The standalone shops can be open only till noon with 50 percent staff and vegetables and provision shops located in commercial complexes will remain closed, said the order.

There is, however, no bar on shops selling essential items like milk and medicines.

This came as the state recorded 23,310 positive cases on Wednesday, taking the tally to over 12 lakh.

(With inputs from ABP Correspondent Pinky Rajpurohit)