The inability of the central government to comply with the Delhi High Court’s order for the immediate supply of the maximum quota of oxygen to Delhi today enraged the judges. The court, which had requested that Delhi be provided with its maximum quota of oxygen “by all means necessary,” asked the government to clarify why a contempt case against it could not be filed.
“Enough is enough. We will not take a ‘no’ regarding oxygen supply. There is no way that you will not supply 700 metric tonne oxygen immediately. We will not hear anything except compliance,” the judges said.
The judges, who have been hearing a slew of petitions on the oxygen crisis for more than two weeks, said, “Contempt hearings should be the last thing.”
Despite the court’s repeated requests, the Centre has maintained that Delhi has been allotted oxygen based on a calculation that extends to all nations, and that the crisis is the result of the Delhi government’s mismanagement.
In the meantime, about 40 people have died in the national capital as a result of a lack of oxygen in their hospitals. Every few hours, most hospitals have been announcing a shortage. Even today, two hospitals, one of which is exclusively for girls, have been reporting shortages since the morning.
“You can bury your head in sand like ostrich, we won’t… Are you living in an ivory tower?” the judges added.The Supreme Court had also directed the Centre to supply 700 metric tonne of oxygen to Delhi, not just 490 metric tonne,
The judges reacted angrily when the Center said it will file an enforcement affidavit with the Supreme Court tomorrow “We’re not sure what the affidavit will accomplish if the necessary oxygen isn’t sent to Delhi. Not even a single day’s worth of oxygen (for Delhi) has been delivered “.
According to the Delhi government’s oxygen bulletin, demand for oxygen was 976 metric tonnes on May 3, while supply was 433 metric tonnes.
The Supreme Court had recommended on April 30 that the shortfall in Delhi’s oxygen supply be corrected by midnight on May 3rd.
Court Raps Centre: ‘You Might Bury Your Head In Sand Like An Ostrich, But…’
The High Court, in an unusual hearing on Saturday, pressed the Centre to take urgent action in light of the rising number of deaths in the national capital due to a lack of oxygen.
