The Central government’s failure to implement the Delhi High Court’s order on immediate supply of full quota of oxygen to Delhi evoked the judges’ wrath today. The court — which had ordered that Delhi must be given its full quota of oxygen “by whatever means” — asked the government to explain why a contempt case should not be initiated against it. “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.
“Contempt proceedings can be the last thing,” added the judges, who have been hearing a bunch of petitions on the oxygen shortage for more than two weeks. Over this period, despite the court’s repeated urging, the Centre has remained firm on its stance that Delhi has been allocated oxygen according to a calculation that applies to all states and it is the Delhi government’s mismanagement that has led to the crisis.
Around 40 people have died in the national capital meanwhile as their hospitals ran out of oxygen. Most hospitals have been flagging shortage every few hours. Even today two hospitals — one catering only to children — have flagged shortage since morning.