COVID19- Issues Related To Unemployment & Lack Of Income Avenues Have To Be Considered By State: Madras High Court

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy also noted the suggestions given by the intervenor that the face of the COVID victim's dead body should be covered by some transparent material so that the relatives may have a glimpse of the face for the last time or even identify the person.

The Court also noted the other suggestion, that is passes to be made available to NGOs who are providing free food to persons who are quarantined and to others who do not have ready access to food.

Other submissions

The Court noted that there does not appear to be a dearth of beds or facilities and that the supply of oxygen to the State had been increased by the Centre to 650 MT per day.

In addition, the Court observed, the State Government has used its own resources to augment the supply and to arrange for oxygen generators, concentrators, and the like.

The Court took into account the affidavits filed indicating the position as to vaccines and their availability, and the availability of Liposomal Amphotericin-B needed to treat Mucormycosis, which the State has declared as a notified disease.

Regarding Puducherry, the Court expressed hope that the Centre would look into a larger allocation of oxygen supply to Puducherry.

The Court also asked the government in Puducherry to ensure that the other side of the road which falls in Puducherry maintains some kind of discipline or lockdown so as not to render ineffective the lockdown imposed on the other side of the street which is Tamil Nadu.

"This will be limited to short stretches of roads and the government in Puducherry may consider appropriate measures in such regard," the Court added.

In another petition, relating to stray animals who find it difficult to forage for food with the lockdown in place, the Court expressed hope that

"The State immediately sanctions the amount, so that the stray dogs, cats, abandoned horses and even elephants can be taken care of and their daily food can be organised by NGOs and the Animal Husbandry Department under the aegis of the Committee."

Lastly, the Court made an appeal to the corporate houses for funds or material that may go into feeding stray animals.

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