Biggest Challenge Before The Govt. Is To Break The Myth Amongst Local Populace That 'Bihar Has Eaten Up Corona': Patna High Court

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S. Kumar was hearing a batch of pleas seeking specific direction, protecting the interest of person handling Corona (COVID-19) as also ensuring the creation of infrastructure dealing with the crisis.

However, the Court was informed on Thursday that Supreme Court is now seized with the matter and on pan India basis, comprehensively dealing with the issues, perhaps the subject matter of the present lis, arising out of the current Pandemic [Covid-19].

Subsequently, the Advocate General stated before the Court that he shall ascertain the issues involved in the matters pending before Hon'ble the Supreme Court and apprise the Court, also assist as to whether these petitions should be pursued any further or not.

Court's Observations

The Court noted that "Bihar is a highly populated State. Nearly 1/10th (approximately) of India lives here, with the highest population density."

The Court further stated,

"As such, various directions issued, policies framed and programmes propagated by the Central Government and the State Government under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, needs to be highlighted, popularized and people sensitized, both in the urban and rural areas."

The Advocate General informed the Court that on account of prevailing climatic conditions, "the State Government has rather vigorously started a campaign for sensitization the local populace."

To this, the Court said,

"The Government must undertake by all modes of communications, including electronic and print media. On a personal level Persons engaged in pursuing social beneficially schemes can be asked to sensitize the general public in adhering the advisories issued, at least of wearing masks; maintaining social distancing; avoiding congregation at public places; taking all precautions in dealing with the problems arising out of current Pandemic Covid-19."

As prayed by the Advocate General, the Court adjourned the matter to be listed on 8th of December, 2020.

It may be noted that in April 2020, a young Law student had approached the Patna High Court seeking specific direction, protecting the interest of persons handling Corona (COVID-19) as also ensuring the creation of infrastructure dealing with the crisis. Subsequently, other persons filed petitions which were tagged to be heard together.