The honourable Supreme Court of the country, situated in the beating heart of the national capital New Delhi has directed the Centre to ensure that the city gets its full supply of oxygen. It’s hardly a matter of surprise that of late, where it comes to the city of New Delhi, then there’s hardly been a day where there’s not been some sort of furore surrounding the supply of medical oxygen. Hospitals have been concerned for long regarding it. Patients have seen days where they’ve been denied admission into the hospitals for it.
Families have been running riot as has the country in its wailing attempts to make necessary provisions regarding the same. But what’s also been seen, usually speaking, is that whenever a firm directive comes from none other than the highest court of the country, things definitely flow as per the plans.
In that regard, speaking in no uncertain terms the Supreme Court directed the centre to work with state governments to ensure that a buffer stock of oxygen is created. The same will then be put to use during specific or emergency situations.
Here’s taking stock of what happened in the course of the past few days in the capital:
Owing to the deficit supply of medical oxygen, as many as 12 individuals lost their lives tragically this last Saturday, i.e., May 1, while the overall count of those who died as of last week stood at 25. The shortfall of medical oxygen, it’s been seen, has been triggered owing to a dangerous second wave of the treacherous Coronavirus, a situation that has hammered the country a threatening blow.
The top courts, however, remain of the view that a new national lockdown should be imposed in the country, which fundamentally means that despite this being a year where India- quite like the other countries- produced an effective vaccine to combat the threat, things haven’t really changed on ground.
However, more news on the matter pertaining to the oxygen supply has formed a key matter pertaining to the extended hearings that have been going on for a few days now in Delhi’s high court.
That being said, the following is what the Delhi High Court had to say on the aforementioned matter, taking in no uncertain terms a tough stance:
Enough is enough. No one is asking for more than allocated. If you can’t supply the allocation today, we will see your explanation on Monday.
Furthermore, NDTV in its coverage on the issue happened to report:
The Arvind Kejriwal government has asked for around 970 metric tonnes of oxygen per day. The centre, however, has only allotted 590 MT (increased from 490 MT on Saturday).
On Friday, when the Supreme Court heard this matter, the centre was told it had a “special responsibility toward Delhi!”
Of late, one of the contentious issues the country has been facing pertains to the matter of not just the critical shortage of medical oxygen supply, but also that of the COVID-related medicines and the pricing of the vaccine. Therefore, as of Sunday, the Supreme Court also told the centre to take cognisance of all such issues that stand as a barrier toward making any progress in these testing times.
Also Read: Tragedy In Karnataka: 24 Die In Hospital Owing To Alleged Oxygen Shortage
Surely, which the rich or the affluent can afford the vaccines, the main question is how can the poor or those who hail from the marginalised sections go to a hospital and afford a vaccine that’s priced at INR 600? India is to take a new stance on the same, hopefully!