SC Seeks National Plan On Oxygen & Remdesivir Supply, Vaccination Method

Bobde wants national plan on oxygen supply

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre seeking a “national plan” on oxygen supply, method of vaccination and essential drugs like Remdesivir.

“We want to see the national plan on this issue,” Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said.

The court said it would hear the matter on Friday.

With the second wave of COVID-19 having hit India like a tsunami, there is a grave crisis of oxygen, hospital beds and Remdesivir drug. Hospitals in several cities, including Delhi, have been crying out for help fearing that supply will run out soon.

Even as six High Courts are hearing shortage-related petitions across the country, the Supreme Court stepped in.

“We wish to take suo moto cognizance of certain issues in six High Courts — Delhi, Bombay, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Calcutta and Allahabad. Now they are exercising their jurisdiction in their best interest. But what is happening is some kind of confusion and diversion of resources,” said Bobde.

The bench, also comprising Justices LN Rao and SR Bhat, will also examine the issue relating to the power of high courts to declare lockdown amid the pandemic.

The apex court appointed senior advocate Harish Salve as an amicus curiae to assist it in the suo moto proceedings.

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