'We Can't Run The Administration': Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Seeking Centralized Portal For Information On COVID Essentials

The relief has been sought to ensure uniformity and transparency and curb black marketing, inflation and hoarding of supplies.

The Bench comprising of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli has however granted liberty to the petitioner to move the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with his suggestions which may be duly looked into at the appropriate level.

"We can't run the administration, you have some good suggestions. You can move Ministry of health and family welfare for the appropriate direction." The Bench orally observed.

During the hearing, Mr Arunpal Singh Beha, the petitioner's counsel, submitted Court that the petition was moved during second wave of the covid pandemic when urgency was felt and it was difficult to approach the Government.

"Instead of entertaining an amorphous sort of petition and taking burden on ourselves, we can grant him liberty to the Ministry." the Bench said.

The Bench therefore recorded that "Primarily, since petitioner has some suggestions, it would be appropriate to grant him liberty to move Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for considering nature of suggestions, including need for a Centralised Portal. His suggestions may be duly looked into at the appropriate level."

The court was initially inclined to dispose of the petition with the above-mentioned direction, however after being informed that applications pending before the court may have similar prayer, the Bench indicated that it will consider granting the petitioner liberty to withdraw the plea and move the Ministry.

Senior Advocate Jaideep gupta who is also the Amicus Curiae in the suo moto case taken up by Supreme Court to deal with COVID-19 related issues (In Re Essential Distribution Of Supplies and Services During Pandemic) informed the Court that one or two of the applications pending in that matter also relate to issue of information dissemination.

Case Title: SFS School Old Boys Association Nagpur vs Union of India

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