Punjab & Haryana HC Seeks Response Of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh In Plea Seeking Implementation Of Covid Guidelines, Oxygen Supply, Availability Of Beds

The Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday sought response from the State of Haryana, Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh in a plea highlighting the "grim state of covid 19" in the States, non implementation of covid 19 guidelines, non availability of beds and issue of timely supply of oxygen to hospitals.

A division bench comprising of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh was dealing with a petition wherein Amicus Curiae, Senior Advocate Rupinder Khosla had apprised the Court about the "complete chaos due to the situation arising out of spread of Covid-19 as the Government guidelines were not being followed in the region."

Submissions of Amicus Curiae, Senior Advocate Rupinder Khosla

According to Khosla, apart from the covid guidelines not being followed in public places, there was also an issue as regards to the non availability of beds to people seeking admission in the hospitals. Moreover, the issue of supply of oxygen being severely depleted was also highlighted by him.

Highlighting that the situation in the State of Haryana needs immediate action of the Court, Khosla went ahead to move an application of impleadment praying that State of Punjab and UT of Chandigarh be also impleaded in the matter as the situation was equally grim in all the three states.

Submissions of the State of Haryana

Additional Advocate General appearing for the State of Haryana however apprised the Court that appropriate steps were being by the State however he did not dispute the fact that "something more needs to be done to bring the situation under control."

Moreover, he also submitted that a State Level Monitoring Committee headed by Health Minister, Haryana has been constituted to look into various issues particularly timely supply of oxygen to the hospitals.

Furthermore, it was submitted that a daily requirement of oxygen on the present date is 70/80 MT while the production in the State is 270 MT.

Looking at the circumstances as highlighted by the Amicus and submissions of the AAG Haryana, the Court allowed the petition and impleaded Punjab and Chandigarh and sought their response in the matter.

The Court will hear the matter today i.e. 22nd April 2021.

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