'We Can't Dilute Our Orders': Supreme Court Says Centre Must Implement Its Direction To Supply 700 MT Oxygen Per Day To Delhi,Asks SG To Submit Plan By Tomorrow
In staying the contempt notice issued to the central government officials by the Delhi High Court over oxygen supply to the NCT of Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday required that the UOI make all efforts to comply with its direction regarding supply of 700 MT of oxygen per day to the National Capital Territory of Delhi.The bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah directed that until...
In staying the contempt notice issued to the central government officials by the Delhi High Court over oxygen supply to the NCT of Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday required that the UOI make all efforts to comply with its direction regarding supply of 700 MT of oxygen per day to the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The bench has required that the plan shall show: one, the sources of supply; two, the provisions for transportation; and three, other logistical arrangements to fulfil the requirements of the order.
In order to enable the Union of India to place the plan for supply and distribution of oxygen to the NCT of Delhi, the bench directed that the Chief Secretary and the Health Secretary of the GNCTD shall meet with the Union of India officers today evening.
Justice Chandrachud observed during the hearing that that 500 MT allocation for Delhi was not sufficient.
The judge made this remark after the Solicitor General said that Delhi will be able to manage with 500 MT.
"According to me, if they have 500, they will be able to manage. We don't have unlimited oxygen, we will have to rationalize", the SG said.
The bench said that it cannot accept this.
"No, we cannot dilute our own order like this...Institutionally, we can't accept this. Our order was for 700 MT. We cannot go behind it. We are answerable to the citizens. We don't know what is happening on the ground with the 550 MT (as supplied to Delhi on May 4). We are not in touch with private citizens as much as you are. Our friendships are limited. But the lawyers are saying every day, 'Do something. We are dying'. We cannot just go by the number of beds (to determine O2 requirement). There are patients outside hospitals also and at their homes who have been unable to secure a bed. We have to look at the practical requirement. 550 is not resolving the problem of Delhi. What we do subsequently after the scientific audit is for another day", Justice Chandrachud observed.