Read Time: 04 minutes

Madras High Court continued hearing Suo Moto petition on COVID crisis in the State of Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice SenthilKumar Ramamoorthy, while hearing the matter today, said, “It is a war like situation” where steps should be taken by the Government to make arrangement for make shift beds by procuring additional stretchers and utilizing corridor spaces.

The bench was informed that because some patients are being treated inside the Ambulance itself, the necessary movement of these vehicles are being cut down.

Reports received from Puducherry suggest that there is an increase in testing.

The Court while dictating its order noted;

1. Daily increase in the State of TN has crossed 30000 but the rate of increase has dropped.
2. Global Tender for vaccination by the State should not divert the allocation by the Centre.
3. There appears to be sufficient supply of vaccines even after the second dose.
4. Endeavour must be made by Union and the State to convert places into makeshift hospitals to augment the need of beds.
5. Additional supply (of Oxygen) from other States would make good the diversion from Palakkad, Kerala.
6. Overall it does not appear that the State has any dirth of Oxygen or essential drugs.
7. State Legal Service Authority should coordinate with Police authorities to ensure relaxed rules, hygiene and other health facilities in Correctional homes.

Earlier, in its order dated May 12, Court had asked Puducherry to file its report on the prevailing situations in the State.

Further, by order dated May 10, the bench said, “It is once again made clear that it is not the business of this Court to suggest measures, which should be left for experts to do. The object of the exercise is to monitor the extent of preparedness of the State executive and to assist in the measures being taken, if only by bringing several stakeholders to a common platform.”

Case Title: Suo Moto v. Union of India | WP 10486 of 2021