[Oxygen shortage in Delhi hospitals] Ensure compliance with Oxygen allocation order; will not adjourn matter till it goes to SC: Delhi High Court

In the matter pertaining to the shortage of Oxygen supply in Delhi hospitals, the Delhi High Court today directed the Central government to ensure that the order allocating oxygen to the capital is strictly complied with..The matter was heard today by a Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli..During yesterday's hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the Court that the Centre had already passed an order allocating 480 metric tonne (MT) of oxygen to Delhi..Today, SG Mehta submitted that the Union Home Ministry passed an order today under provisions of the Disaster Management Act with regard to transport and supply of medical oxygen..After hearing the parties, the Court stated in its order,"We direct the Central government to peremptorily ensure strict compliance of the allocation order dated April 21, its own order passed on April 22 under Disaster Management Act, and our order dated April 21. We also direct all the authorities concerned who are bound by the order passed under the Disaster Management to ensure strict compliance. We make it clear that non-compliance of the said orders will be viewed very seriously since non-compliance of these orders is likely to result in great loss of life.".The Court furthered threatened criminal action against any authority found to be in non-compliance. It further directed,"We put everyone to notice that non-compliance of the orders would also invite criminal action. We direct the Central government to ensure that the supply from all oxygen-producing plants, as per the allocation order, is made and transportation takes place without any hindrance. Looking to the present emergent situation, we direct the Central Government to ensure that adequate security is provided to the lorries transporting oxygen, and there is no obstruction on the way. For this purpose, a special corridor be created for immediate transportation of the oxygen. Other aspects of the matter, which are listed before us, shall continue to be taken up hereafter.".With respect to the obstructions being caused in Haryana to the transportation of Oxygen to Delhi, Justice Sanghi told SG Mehta,"You don’t even have to wait for the order. Your one word to Mr. (Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal) Khattar will do the job.".The Court said that it would take up other issues related to the COVID-19 crisis on the next date..During the hearing, it was pointed out to the Court that the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the COVID-19 crisis. The possibility of transfer of matters on the issue before various High Courts to the apex court was also brought up..In response to this, the High Court said,"Till the matter goes to the Supreme Court, this is not a matter we can adjourn.".Following the plea filed yesterday by Max Hospitals regarding shortage of oxygen, Saroj Super Specialty Hospital at Rohini and Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Paschim Vihar moved the Delhi High Court today seeking urgent supply of oxygen to it..In its urgent petition, the Saroj Hospital said that as on 10 am today, it had liquid medical oxygen supply of 60 minutes left. It later arranged some oxygen which would last till Thursday afternoon, the hospital said..On the other hand, Sri Balaji Action Medical institute said that it had 220 COVID patients and was down to one - one and half hour of oxygen..While Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur stated that Saroj Hospital received oxygen supply from Inox soon after the hearing began, the Court directed Sri Balaji Hospital, represented through Advocate Vikshit Arora, to get in touch with the Nodal Officer for Delhi to facilitate oxygen supply. .Meanwhile, Saroj Hospital said, it would provide some oxygen cylinders to Sri Balaji. .The gesture was appreciated by the High Court. .On the issue of transportation of oxygen supply to Delhi from three locations in East India i.e Durgapur, Rourkela and Kalinga Nagar, the Court said, "We call upon the Railways to consider transporting oxygen from three locations to Delhi.".As Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra raised the issue of supply of 700MT oxygen to Delhi, the Court remarked, "You will be in a much better situation if 480 MT comes..Let 480MT come, we'll talk of 700 later.".Yesterday, the High Court ordered the Central government to provide oxygen to six Max hospitals in the national capital which are housing over 1,400 COVID-19 patients..The Court held a special sitting at 8 PM and directed the government to ensure that oxygen is supplied to the hospitals by "whatever means"..[COVID-19] Beg, borrow to provide Oxygen to hospitals; we cannot see people dying because of Oxygen shortage: Delhi High Court to Central govt.With respect to the issue bed availability, the Court said that it hoped and expected that the Central government would look into the requirements of COVID beds for Delhi and work to enhance availability. . At the same time, it asked the Delhi government to explore possibility of a collaboration with PSUs for making makeshift beds available).The Court has sought affidavit from Centre and State governments in four days. . SG Mehta today asked the Court to not take up the issue of supply of medicines like Remdesivir has the same had to "looked at from national perspective". .SG Mehta also said that he would take instructions on opening up vaccines for people in case of open, untilised vials. .The matter would be heard next on April 26. .Read the orders: