[COVID-19] Cylinder business a complete mess, our confidence is shaken: Delhi High Court tells AAP govt

The Delhi government has to pull up its socks with respect to distribution oxygen cylinders in the national capital, the Delhi High Court remarked on Tuesday noting the alarming rise in prices to procure cylinders due to COVID-19. .A Division Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said that the cylinder business is in a complete mess and the Court's confidence is shaken. ."This cylinder business is a complete mess and you have to put your house in order. People have to buy it in black for lakhs," the Court said..Apprehending black marketing of oxygen cylinders by a re-filler, Seth Air, who had failed to supply to hospitals like Maharaja Agrasen Hospital and Venkaterswara Hospital in spite of allocation orders, the Court further remarked,."If you (Delhi government) can't manage, tell us. We will ask Central govt to take over (the re-filing unit).".The Court added that although a substantial quantity of oxygen was being supplied to gas re-fillers, there was no mechanism put in place by the Delhi government to monitor further supply to hospitals, nursing homes and individuals..The Court's concerns were further aggravated after it noticed that Seth Air and another re-filler, namely Vinayak Gases, were not even the part of the government order appointing nodal officers for the supply of oxygen in gaseous form in cylinders. .As Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra for the Delhi government said that he would look into the issue, the Court remarked,."Seth appears to be a rather big supplier. He holds 20MT and he's not part of your order? There appears to be something fishy..There's definitely something wrong .. You completely shut your eyes to him as if he's non-existence.".The Court ultimately directed the Delhi government to take over the re-filling unit of Seth Air and directed the owner to not interfere. .This will set an example for others, the Court said. .The Court, after interacting with the owner of Seth Air, also opined that his stand that Maharaja Agrasen Hospital told him that they already had the needed supply of oxygen, appeared to be "completely false and unbelievable". ."His patients are dying why would he ask you to give oxygen to some one else. I'll put you in custody," the Court said. .The Court, in its order, said that strict action would now be initiated by the Delhi government as well as the Court, if re-fillers did not provide data on further supply to the authorities. .Contempt notice was also issued to re-fillers who failed to appear before it in spite of an order to this effect passed by the Court. .Delhi government was directed to file an affidavit on the stock held by re-fillers. .Taking note of the shortage of COVID-19 medicines, the Court also directed the Delhi government to take record from all pharmacies on supply of Remdesivir, Dexamethasone and Fabiflu. .It also asked the authorities to conduct random audit to find out if there had been any black marketing of the COVID-19 drugs. .The Court also opined that there was merit in the suggestion that an online portal should be created to inform the public about the status of availability of drugs. .During the course of the proceedings, concerns were also raised by various parties on government order directing supply of Remdesivir to only those who are admitted in hospitals. ."Today, you don't have a bed for a rich man or a poor man. How can you say you won't get Remdesivir because you don't have a bed?" the Court questioned. .As several hospital claimed that the Delhi government nodal officer was not responding to the SoS calls with respect to oxygen shortage, the Court remarked, "This is a constant complaint. Which means there is truth in it.".The matter would be heard next tomorrow. .Read the complete account of the hearing here:.[COVID-19] "Put your house in order:" Delhi High Court tells AAP government - LIVE UPDATES.Read the Orders: