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The Uttarakhand High Court today expressed its displeasure at the carelessness of the State and the Central government in providing the needful to its public in the State of Uttarakhand.

The Division Bench led by CJ R.S. Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma made the following observations while hearing a batch of pleas related to CoVID19 management in the State.

“Why is Uttarakhand treated like this? I am sorry to say but Pahadi Community won’t take is nicely. Why is Uttarakhand not taken seriously? I will take up the matter tomorrow itself and I want the person to be present here.” – CJ, when informed that the authority from Central Government was not present in the hearing.

Further, the Bench showed its disappointment towards the Central Government for not answering to the letters sent under the name of Chief Secretary who is considered as the highest authority in time. “This shows the callous attitude of the govt. I am surprised that how can they not reply to the request made in this letter.”

“CJ - This is absurd, as Shakespeare said, there is madness in logic, show us that madness in logic. I want to hear their logic.

Adv assures the CJ that the person would be present tomorrow to answer.

CJ to Mr. Thapilyal - ask CG to reply to the letters made by the state.”

The Court further took into consideration the videos being circulated on Whatsapp including the news updates in print media regarding Chardham Yatra.

CJ noted that, “I do not find any social distancing being followed. Why is the SOP is not being implemented?”

He further asserts that the number of priests entering the temple must be limited (2or 3) as the place is small. “You can't ask 20-30 priests to enter the room? Who is the person that is appointed by you? The videos are showing the reality. What are you doing there? The People of the country are mocking UK.”

 “Take the next chopper from Dehradun and see the ground reality. Go unannounced. Please asks the authorities as to what are they are doing there. The videos say it clearly. We are causing embarrassment to us.” – CJ to the State Counsel.

The Court further referred to Kautilya's Arthashastra asked the government authorities to visit the Chardham to know the true story,"every minister is required to go and meet its public to work efficiently. You can't do anything if you don't see ground realities yourself.”

The Bench further asked the State Government that did it take any against CIPLA as it failed to supply an adequate amount of Remdesivir Vials, “who is going to take action against Cipla for not providing enough vials.”

The States' Government Counsel told that the Government had put pressure on CIPLA, and asked them to supply otherwise action would be taken against them.

On the issue of employing doctors, the CJ further orally remarked that,

“Bhatt , I am sorry! Finding doctors is not like buying potatoes and tomatoes in market! Who wants to come in a state like UK? Where there is no infrastructure......we can't ask CG to deploy doctors. Its a long process. I can't allow 10th pass out to be Doctors in my state. A professional Doctor is one who has MBBS degree. I can not let people of my state suffer.”