"People Need Oxygen Now, Why Should Wait For April 22nd To Ban Use Of Oxygen For Industries": Delhi High Court Asks Centre

In view of acute shortage of oxygen supplies for Covid-19 patients, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Central Government as to why there is a delay in restricting its use in industries. "You've said you'll ban the use of oxygen in industries by 22nd, but why not by today itself? What about lives that are being lost today? Will you tell the patients from today to wait for 2 days?" remarked a Division Bench comprising of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli. The Court was hearing a PIL concerning the Covid-19 situation in Delhi. During the hearing, the Bench made some significant suggestions, including increasing the number of beds for Covid patients in Delhi, ramping up the Centre's vaccination programme and inoculating all those who are willing to take the vaccine. "Whomsoever you can vaccinate, please vaccinate. Whether it's 60 years or 16 years. Atleast let the ones who want to take it, take it. Good luck to the ones who don't. The thing is the virus doesn't discriminate," Justice Sanghi orally remarked during the hearing. He also criticized the Government for not taking timely steps and restricting the use of oxygen by industries. "If people keep dying the way they are dying, what is the point of producing more for the economy?," Justice Sanghi remarked. The Court suggested cutting down production of iron, steel and petroleum industries for 2-3 weeks to divert oxygen supplies to medical use. It observed, "Ultimately, economic interests cannot override human life. We cannot lose people this way… we may lost up to a crore people. We cannot be so insensitive. Shortage is now, we have to do now. This is something you have to see, after a point we can't. We're not here to run the government. If you had taken this decision two days back, lives could have been saved." Shortage of Oxygen The Bench asked the Centre why it is not taking immediate steps for prohibiting industrial use of oxygen, to increase the supply towards medical. "Why aren't you banning the oxygen supply for critical industries from now itself? People are dying now. A father of one of the counsel's who used to appear for govt is admitted and we know oxygen supply was reduced as no oxygen there. In fact, tomorrow, there will be no oxygen left," the Bench told a Joint Secretary appearing for the Centre. The JS informed the Bench that the AIIMS Chief, Dr. Randeep Guleria, has devised a formula for calculating the oxygen requirement. "Taking into account that nearly 80% of the cases are mild, don't need oxygen. As per this calculation, Delhi's requirement was about 220 MT, but they have been provided about 370 MT. Two exercises being done, to ensure all states get oxygen, otherwise those producing will not let it go to other states," the JS assured the Court. He insisted that there is shortage of oxygen cylinders certainly because cylinders being packed and sent off to homes, or being given to patients for psychological effect. In its order, the Bench said, "On the availability of oxygen in Delhi, on this front the situation is rather alarming. We have been informed that the availability of oxygen is dramatically worsen in hospitals like Ganga Ram Hospital which is one of the leading hospitals of Delhi. We call upon to CG to seriously consider the steal and petrochemical industry so that a fine balance can be struck between the needs of people at large who are suffering from covid and need of industries. If more and more people are suffering from covid in extending lockdowns, the purpose of production of steal and petroleum products would also be of no avail. We expect CG to urgently have a meet with all stakeholders involved in the petrochemical and steal industries so that a good portion of oxygen produced by them can be diverted for medical needs for the period in the prevailing condition." Remarks on Vaccination programme Justice Sanghi made strong observations against wastage of vaccines in India and asked the Central Government to proceed in a well panned manner, probably with the use of technology. "Latest numbers indicate that out of 10 crore, 44 lakh vaccines have gone waste. Maximum wastage in Tamil Nadu…Please note that 44 lakhs out of 10 crores is severe wastage. 1 vial can vaccinate upto 10 people. In the US, if by 4-5 pm vaccines not being taken they have a system of calling eligible persons up and vaccinating them. Further, recently, the number of people getting vaccinated has reduced. We are a country that produces the best IT minds, why can't we deal with this? This is just bad planning. Why didn't we foresee this? This is not rocket science," Justice Sanghi said. He added that the people should be provided information regarding availability of vaccine near them, to both make the process more convenient and ensure that the resources do not go to waste. "When you're registered on the ...

"People Need Oxygen Now, Why Should Wait For April 22nd To Ban Use Of Oxygen For Industries": Delhi High Court Asks Centre

Shreya Agarwal

"The need for oxygen is now. Any delay would lead to loss of precious lives."

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