THE CENTRE AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER IMPOSING LOCKDOWN TO CURB THE VIRUS - SC

2nd May 2021

The SC ordered a Suo moto case concerning Re-Distribution of essential services and supplies that centre and state governments should consider imposing lockdown to curb the virus. The bench also said that imposing lockdown will affect the marginalized community, but beforehand, arrangements shall be made to cater.

The SC issued the following directions:

The central and state governments should prepare a buffer stock of oxygen for an emergency. It should be created within the next four days or restocked on day to day basis, in addition to the existing stock.

Union of India shall ensure that supply of oxygen to the GNCTD is rectified within two days, before 3rd May 2021.

The Central and state government shall notify all commissioners of police, DGP and chief secretaries that any clampdown of information on social media regarding covid 19 will attract coercive action.

Within the next two days, the central government shall develop a national policy on admissions in the hospital; till the formulation, no patient shall be denied admission in hospital for lack of identity proof or residential proof of that state/UT.

The Central government shall again consider its protocols on the pricing of vaccines, availability of drugs, oxygen, and response to all such issues on the next hearing date.

The case is next dated on May 10.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal