The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the contempt proceedings started by Delhi high court against Centre for non-compliance of direction on supply of 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for Covid-19 patients in the national capital.
It asked the Union government to apprise it by tomorrow 10.30am, when the court assembles again, as to how it will make the plan to make 700 MT of oxygen available to Delhi. The stay, however, will not restrain the high court from monitoring the Covid-19 management related issues, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said.
“This is an all-India pandemic situation and we will have to find ways to ensure oxygen supply to the national capital as we are answerable to people of Delhi,” it said. “We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through,” Justice Chandrachud said, adding that his office is hearing cries from people including lawyers seeking help.
The top court said it cannot review its order of April 30 and the Centre will have to inch towards supply of 700 MT of oxygen daily for Delhi and asked the Union government to place before it a plan by Thursday morning as to how it will revamp the supply to 700MT.