The High Court today highlighted Delhi’s dire oxygen situation, with judges grilling the Centre with tough questions, demanding to know why it was “not waking up to reality.” How would the government be so blind to what is happening on the ground? The judges said when hearing an appeal by Max company, which had flagged an oxygen shortage in two of its hospitals this afternoon, “You can’t make people dying because there is no oxygen… this tragedy indicates lives don’t count about government.”
The judges told the Centre not to be shocked by the appeal, saying, “Don’t be shocked by this petition.” You need to be aware of the situation. We spoke about the oxygen in the fuel and steel industry the other day. What exactly did you do?
When the Union health ministry said files have started moving, the court shot back, “What is the outcome? We aren’t bothered about these files. Industry will be ready to help. You have your own state run petroleum companies. You have the Air Force. We have (given) several orders yesterday. What have you done the whole day?”
“It is the Central government’s responsibility to ensure sufficient oxygen supply to hospitals. We therefore direct them to protect the fundamental right to life by whatever means. If necessary, the Central government should divert all the oxygen from industries for medical usage,” the court said.
The Court further bashed Centre. How would the government be so blind to what is happening on the ground? People cannot perish due to a lack of oxygen. People die when you take your time.
You’re worried about the industries, so people are dying. A situation like this needs immediate action. That means the government is unconcerned with human lives.
The amount of oxygen needed has increased many times. It is the duty of the centre to ensure enough supply. We command them to uphold the universal right to life in every way possible.
Why can’t others divert oxygen provided by their plants if Tata can? Is there no feeling of humanity or something? The government has the ability to redirect oxygen demand from the steel and petroleum industries. The Court said
