Kejriwal Government pulled up for mismanagement of Covid crisis in capital by Delhi high court: gist of Hearing today

The Delhi High Court has passed several directions in order to effectuate smooth procurement & distribution of oxygen supply to hospitals in Delhi as the capital reels under pressure of a massive second wave of Covid.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi & Rekha Palli took strong note of the fact that requests by hospitals for purposes of procuring oxygen tanks for in-patient care were not paid heed to by the Delhi Government.

"Its not as if supplies were stopped," argued Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the AAP led Government.

"Fact remains that there has been a lapse and it needs to be rectified," said the bench.

At the beginning of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta briefed the court about the allocation of oxygen to Delhi and added that the Delhi Government has been unable to arrange any tankers and that any alternative measures were not made out for hospitals which were left out from the distribution cycle.

It is pertinent to note that Jaipur Golden Hospital and Maharaja Agrasen Hospital highlighted the uncertainty with which they were operating amid empty assurances by Delhi Government for oxygen supply.

"I got 3.6MT. I was supposed to get at 5 pm. I didn't. Supply chain is disrupted by the Delhi Government, and there is shortage and uncertainty. We are being told that hospitals are raising unnecessary SOS calls. How long after the patient dies should the hospital raise SOS?" said Senior Advocate Sachin Dutta for Jaipur Golden Hospital.

Advocate Alok Aggarwal for Maharaja Agrasen hospital added, "Problem is, we are not aware. knowing how much we will get when will reduce our anxiety".

"Mr. Mehra, cylinder distribution is entirely your baby. You have to look into it," said Justice Sanghi.

Mehra then asserted that the message of availability of tankers being made available for Maharaja Agrasen hospital was received by him, however it was not acted upon because the Delhi Government had tankers at the time.

Amid contradictory stands taken by the Delhi Government, bench pulled up the Counsel at his juncture, adding that it was the Delhi Government itself which had stated that there was a thorough shortage of tankers.

"Mr Mehra, you yourself complained of shortage of tankers," said the bench.

In this background, the Delhi High Court passed the following directions, instructing the AAP-led Government at the capital to immediately act in accord with the situation.

1. Convene a meeting with all stakeholders including suppliers today at 5 PM in light of mismanagement & confusion and place the same before Court tomorrow;

"We suggest a meeting to be held with all the suppliers, refilling units & the hospitals to work out this problem"

2. Take steps with regard to black marketing of oxygen and medical supplies;

Additionally, Court directed the Central Government to place custom clearances for medical supplies and ensure that they do not face any obstruction in a sealed cover. Further to this, court also directed re-fillers to be present for the hearing tomorrow.

Court also took note of 3 tankers being seized by Rajasthan during thorough fare to Delhi. 

"We hope & expect the state of Rajasthan to adhere to the orders of the Central Govt & this court. The same would tantamount the lives of people. Stoppage of tankers by one state would have an effect on the other state," the Court said.

Matter will be taken up again tomorrow.