Greeva Garg –
Published on: August 09, 2021, at 14:49 IST
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to submit a final report of the National Task Force (NTF) appointed for scientific allocation of liquid medical oxygen in all the States and Union territories amid the second wave of Covid-19.
The Supreme Court has directed to initiate the report with an Action Taken Report, indicating the criteria which would be the basis for the implementation of the final report.
The Division Bench comprising of Justice DY Chandrachud and MR Shah observed that, “Since the NTF comprises eminent doctors drawn from across the country, we would require the Union of India to duly apprise the Court of the steps which have been taken to ensure that the recommendations are duly observed at the policy level to enhance preparedness and for the foreseeable future and the present.”
The Supreme Court has notified the Centre to administer the Action Taken Report and place it on record within 2 weeks.
The directions to the Centre were processed in the matter of suo moto cognizance in COVID related issues by the Supreme Court after a plea was filed by the Centre challenging a contempt notice issued by Delhi High Court over non-supply of 700 MT oxygen to Delhi.
The sub-group constituted by the Supreme Court for oxygen audit of Delhi had opined that exaggerated claims and wrong formula were used by the Government of Delhi to project its requirements for Liquid Medical Oxygen during the second wave of the COVID.
The Bench has apprised the Centre to provide the copies of the Action Taken Report after its completion, to all the counsels including the Amicus Curiae.
Along with this, the Bench has asked Amicus Jaideep Gupta and Meenakshi Arora to prepare a short pointwise submission to ensure that there is enhanced preparedness.
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