Armed Forces Cannot Set Up Field Hospitals, Cannot Aid Civil Administration In These Times: Centre Tells Delhi High Court

The Centre informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the Armed Forces cannot set up Field Hospitals and bring in the Army to aid the Civil Administration in these times. 

A division bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli was apprised about the development by ASG Chetan Sharma who had received instructions with regards to requisition of the Armed Forces under Regulation 301 of the Defence Service Regulations for the Army and other similar regulations for the Air Force and Navy.

The development came after the Court directed Centre to report instructions on action taken on communication made by Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for lending services of armed forces to set up Covid 19 facilities, oxygen supply, etc.

During the course of hearing, ASG Sharma informed the Court that in view of the services already being rendered by the Armed Forces for battling Covid-19 Pandemic, both for the Armed Forces, their relatives, and the Civilian population in several other ways, it was decided not to set up Field Hospitals and to bring in the Army to aid the Civil Administration in these times.

The Delhi Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia, had written a letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on 2nd May for lending services of armed forces to set up and operationalize covid health facilities with about 10,000 oxygenated Non ICU beds and 1000 ICU beds along with arrangements for supply of medical oxygen for such facilities.

"Indian Army has always stood at the forefront during every time of crisis, helped and protected the citizens of this Great Nation. I shall be grateful if your Ministry could lend the services of our Armed Forces to set-up, operationalize and run some COViDHealth Facilities with about 10,000 oxygenated Non-ICU beds and 1,000 ICU beds. Since the entire health infrastructure machinery is overwhelmed with the management of the existing hospitals and the upcoming covid Hospitals/Care Centres, it will be a timely help to the people of Delhi if the Ministry of Defence, with the considerable resources St its command, is tasked with the responsibility to provide and man the additional COVID Health Facilities as per the current projections. We also request the Ministry of Defence to make arrangements for supply of medical oxygen for the COVID health facilities to be set up." the letter read.

 Click Here To Read Order