Shivani Pandey-
Published on: 10 August, 2021, at 10:29 IST
Supreme Court on Monday called the Centre to furnish in two weeks its Action Taken Report (ATR) on implementing the suggestions of the Court-appointed National Task Force (NTF) on allotment of oxygen to States and Union Territories to deal efficiently with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
On May 6, the Supreme Court had set up a National Task Force to facilitate oxygen allocation to States and Union Territories.
A Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud stated that “The NTF includes various renowned doctors and experts from across the country. The Center needs to take steps to make sure that its recommendations are implemented at the policy level to fulfill any demand in the present or near future.”
The Bench posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks, along with the issue of Covid preparedness, after the Centre’s counsel sought time to file an ATR on the NTF recommendations.
The Bench is seized of the Centre’s petition challenging a Delhi High Court order, initiating contempt proceedings against a few central government officials for not adhering with the High Court’s direction, which was to provide 700 MT of medical oxygen for Covid patients admitted to the hospitals in the National Capital.
On May 5, the Supreme Court had stayed the contempt proceedings before the High Court, stating that “Putting officers in jail won’t bring oxygen”.
Amidst arguing over oxygen supply to hospitals, the Supreme Court had set up a 12-member NTF to facilitate distribution of the life-saving gas to States and Union Territories.
Also Read: Delhi HC on oxygen crisis: Non-compliance will invite criminal action