Delhi HC declines Centre assertion that Delhi not entitled to 700 MT medical oxygen
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court disallowed the Centre’s submission that Delhi was not entitled to 700 MT of medical oxygen, in the atmosphere of the current shortfall in the medical infrastructure in the national capital and in other parts of the country.
The bench of Justices Rekha Palli and Vipin Sanghi has been hearing many appeals on the dearth of life-saving drugs, oxygen and hospital beds in the national capital and is trying to find a solution to try and save people.
The bench observed: “There’s a Supreme Court order. Now we also say the Centre will have to supply 700 MT oxygen daily to Delhi right away, by whatever means.” This leaves the Central Government on slippery ground since it could overlay the way for probable contempt proceedings.
While this observation may not be in the final order, the Supreme Court’s latest observation on the media reporting “observations” of judges will need to be taken sincerely. That observation came in the Election Commission’s appeal that media should not report High Court observations following the punitive words the Madras High Court had for the poll panel.
In this instant case, the bench added: “The Supreme Court’s April 30 order shows it directed the Centre to provide 700 MT of oxygen and not just 490 MT. We see grim reality everyday of people not able to secure oxygen or ICU beds in hospitals which have reduced beds due to gas shortage.”