Why low oxygen supply to Delhi, questions High Court
The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Central authorities why States corresponding to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra had been allotted extra oxygen than they’d requested for, whereas Delhi was not even allotted its projected requirement to deal with COVID-19 sufferers.
“We are not asking you (Centre) to stop giving to these States. But the point is, on April 20, Delhi’s projected demand was 700 metric tonne, but you allocated 480 metric tonne. It doesn’t appear to be falling in line,” a bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli mentioned.
The bench’s question got here after senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, who was appointed as amicus curiae to help the courtroom within the case, mentioned that on April 20, Madhya Pradesh had projected a requirement for 445 metric tonne, however the allocation was 543 metric tonne.
“Maharashtra had requested 1,500 metric tonne, it was allotted 1,661 metric tonne,” Mr. Rao added.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned Madhya Pradesh had a surge in demand due to rise in demand from two districts. “90% of our time goes into fire fighting the situation in Delhi. Most of the tanker which have been imported will go to Delhi,” Mr Mehta mentioned.
“Delhi government did demand 700MT. The allocation is 490MT. The actual quantity coming to Delhi is about 335-340MT, which according to our assessment is sufficient,” the Solicitor General mentioned.
“So far as oxygen is concerned, no resource is limited. We are aware as to the situation of pandemic right now…This is an ever changing situation. Let there not be a panic,” Mr Mehta mentioned.
“Panic is not because that what I say or what Justice palli says. Panic is on ground. Because of lack of resources, oxygen, medicines, beds… People who are close to us are not getting beds. We are hearing it everyday,” Justice Sanghi responded.
“Today the position is hospitals have stopped admission. Because they don’t have oxygen. People are suffering,” the High Court remarked.
More oxygen for extra beds
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi authorities, knowledgeable the courtroom that there 16,072 non-ICU beds in massive hospitals in Delhi. By making use of the components labored out by the Central authorities, the requirement of oxygen is 304 metric tonne.
In different small hospitals and nursing houses, the requirement is 150 metric tonne. Mr. Mehra additionally said that the pandemic in Delhi could peak round May 15 and the Delhi authorities is making association for one more 15,000 non-ICU beds that can require extra oxygen allocation.
As of in the present day, there are 4,866 ICU beds, which is able to additional be augmented by one other 1,200 ICU beds by May 10. The current requirement of oxygen is 704 metric tonne. After the augmentation of the extra mattress capability the demand for oxygen for Delhi might be 976 metric tonne, Mr. Mehra mentioned.
Mr Mehra additionally mentioned, “Punjab asked for 126 MT of oxygen but was given 136 MT, Tamil Nadu asked for 200 MT given 220 MT, Kerala asked for 89 MT, given 99 MT, Chhattisgarh 215 MT given 227 MT. Only State left out it Delhi”.
At this, Solicitor General Mehta mentioned, “Let’s not allow this to be made political.”
The High Court requested the Centre to reply to the difficulty.
ENDS