Oxygen Shortage: You can turn a blind eye, we can't; Delhi HC slams Centre over shortage of oxygen supply

India is currently dealing with a devastating second Covid-19 wave that has swept through the nation, crushing the country's health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers. The number of coronavirus cases in the country is increasing day by day.

The national capital on Monday reported as many as 18,043 new coronavirus cases and 448 deaths in the last 24 hours, Delhi's daily health bulletin informed on Monday. This is the highest single-day death toll in the city since the pandemic broke out last year.

Due to increase in covid cases there is shortage of Remdesivir injections, oxygen, beds, corona vaccine. Many patients have died due to lack of oxygen. The matter is being heard in several high courts across the country, including the Supreme Court. During a hearing, the Delhi High Court once again slammed the Centre, saying, "You can turn a blind eye, we can't."

"If the need for oxygen and tankers has depleted in Maharashtra, they could be diverted to Delhi. This is not a permanent arrangement. Whenever the need arises again, you can send them back," the Delhi high court said, acknowledging a suggestion from the amicus curiae.

On this, the court advised that Maharashtra has adequate supply of oxygen at present and some of its oxygen tankers could be sent to Delhi. Supreme Court had instructed 700MT of oxygen to reach the national capital, only 433 MT has reached till now, observed the High Court.

The Delhi government has accused the Center in the High Court of improperly supplying oxygen. However, the Center denied the allegation and told the court that it had supplied 12 extra oxygen tankers to Delhi.

When additional solicitor general (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the central government, said in response that these are "rhetorical statements", the court hit back."Is it only a rhetorical statement? It's the reality. You may be blind, but we are not. We cannot shut our eyes. This is so insensitive and unfortunate. How can you make such a statement?" the bench said.