"Exorbitant Prices Charged By Pvt Hospitals, Oximeters In Rural Areas, Bed Availability Information On Portal": Gauhati HC Seeks State Govt's Response

The Gauhati High Court on Thursday sought the response of the State Government on various issues concerning Covid 19 situation in the State faced by the people in view of second Covid wave.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak was dealing with a plea raising issues including: first, exorbitant prices charges by private hospitals while treating covid patients, second, people residing in rural areas must be given oximeters and third, the need for having an online portal for showing availability of beds in the State.

According to the petitioner, it was stated that some of the Hospitals which are admitting COVID patients were charging exorbitant rates and that their rates must be specified and kept. 

Moreover, it was also stated that there must be an online portal by the State which should exhibit on daily basis as to the availability of beds in various hospitals including private hospitals.

In view of this, the Advocate General appearing for the State submitted before the Court that most of the issues are already under consideration of the State. 

While giving a statement to this effect, It was also stated that State Government has already taken some of the decisions.

Considering the aforesaid submissions of the State, the Court directed the State Government to apprise the Court on the measures taken by it till now and also to state the steps it proposes to take on these aspects.

"But in any case, he will apprise this Court as to the measures taken by the State till now or it proposes to undertake on all the aspects raised by the petitioner, for which he seeks two days' time." The Court ordered.

The matter will now be considered on June 8.

Title: ADVOCATES ASSOCIATION FOR INDIGENOUS RIGHTS OF ASSAMESE AND ANR v. STATE OF ASSAM AND ORS.

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