Supreme Court Hearing On Suo Motu COVID Case: LIVE UPDATES

SG: Factually the situation is this, some States did apply for global tenders. But, some corporations have a policy that they will only deal with countries and not states.

Justice Chandrachud: BBMP has received bids. Even from Sputnik. 

Justice Bhat: The Central Govt. has the power to fix the powers. The DSPO arms you with the power. Then why have you fixed yours at 50% and States are on their own ? We want to be addressed on this. 

Justice Bhat: Till date we have not seen the policy document and we want to see the rationale. It’s an unprecedented crisis which requires unprecedented measures. But, to see that the Centre will procure at a lower price, what is the rationale ?

Justice Chandrachud: Look at BOMBAY Municipal Corporation. They have funds which could be more than a State. But, what about States such as UP ? Will you be negotiating or will they be left on their own ? The amicus can formulate the issues and you can respond to that.

Justice Chandrachud: We have identified some broad issues. We have a situation where some States and Municipal corporations are issuing global tenders. We want to know if this is the policy of the country that all States are left on their own and supplying their own tenders ?

Justice Chandrachud: If the amicus can address the Solicitor then certainly some time will be required. The amicus can apprise us.

SG: Perhaps he may not have to say anything on this. 

SG: In my earlier affidavit, we have given the rationale and it is wrong to say that States are competing with each other. There is no competition. It’s not about one State paying more and getting more. 

There are a few technical issues. Court is rectifying that.

Justice Bhat: The only problem I am posing, the issue isn’t about making the vaccine available to the nation as a whole. The only thing we want to address is the duel pricing policy. You are asking the States to pick up and compete with each other. 

SG: Central Govt. Is in discussion with other vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer. Before anything finalises, it will be premature of me to say that government is positive about it. But we are at an advanced Stage.

SG: If this happens, the timeline will change and it will be earlier. I will place this on affidavit.

SG: The oxygen task force which was constituted, they bifurcated themselves. Their draft report is ready, but it will have to be finalised by the task force.

SG: On the question of vaccination, as per our estimate, from the domestic market and with Sputnik, we expect the entire eligible population to get vaccinated by the end of this year. 

SG: After your last sitting, there are some developments. One of course is that the situation is on its way to being normal. Three developments are there.