"What Action Taken To Rehabilitate Children Orphaned Due To COVID?": Himachal Pradesh High Court Asks State Govt

The Himachal Pradesh High Court earlier this week asked the State Government to place on record the action proposed to be taken in order to help or rehabilitate the children who have been orphaned or who have lost one parent due to COVID.

The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua asked the State Government to take 'more stringent measures for tackling the COVID situation.

The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation along with some other petitions filed alleging inadequate facilities and infrastructure in the state to deal with COVID.

During the course of the hearing in the matter, the Court was apprised of the fact that labour is likely to be infused into the State of Himachal Pradesh due to the impending harvesting season of apples, which has partly started and would go on till October-November, 2021.

Therefore, the court was informed about the concern that the apple plucking season may act as a catalyst for the further spread of COVID.

To this effect, the Senior Additional Advocate General submits that additional efforts and inputs would be put in those districts, wherein the harvesting of apples would take place.

It was also assured by him that additional care would be taken in order to ensure that the labour that enters Himachal Pradesh for the said purpose is vaccinated with the available resources of the State.

Further, it was also submitted before the Court that in pursuance of the decision taken by the State Government, all tourists would now be allowed to enter the State of Himachal Pradesh only either if they have a negative RTPCR test report or have a certificate evidencing one/two shot(s) of the vaccine they have taken.

To this, the Court said:

"More stringent measures would be taken by the State in the coming days keeping in mind the prevailing situation. Further efforts to be made by the State would be brought to the notice of the Court on the next date."

The court also directed thus:

"Additional Advocate General is also requested to place on record the material with regard to the children that have been orphaned or who have lost one parent due to COVID and further as to what action the State has taken in order to help or rehabilitate such children"

Earlier, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had sought a response from District Commissioners of all districts in the State to furnish details on the availability of medical facilities in every district and also on the number of doctors and paramedical staff posted in the districts.

Title: Court on its own motion CWPIL No.3 of 2020

Click Here To Read Order