Thread by @imranhindu

Madras HC CJ Sanjib Banerjee & Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy commence hearing a public interest litigation petition taken up by the court suo motu to monitor COVID-19 situation. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan is present through virtual mode @THChennai

CJ wants to Health Secretary to explain deaths at Chengalpattu govt hospital yesterday.

Health Secretary says TN is facing oxygen shortage. Says Centre had initially unilaterally fixed TN quota as 280 KL though it's requirement is 400 KL. However, Centre later revised it to 470 tonnes but the revised oxygen quantity has not been released till date.

Health Secretary says Centre cannot force TN to get oxygen from Odisha. TNMSC MD P. Umanath says TN had agreed to share oxygen with neighbouring States in return for revised allocation but very unfortunately the revised quantum hasn't been released.

Mr. Umanath says western TN districts, which had been receiving oxygen from Kerala, had been deprived of oxygen now and the shortage is expected to be acute from Saturday. Says existing cylinders may run out by tomorrow. Adds that Centre hasn't implemented a mutually agreed plan.

Mr. Radhakrishnan apprises court of hospital bed situation and the number of new beds being added in TN. Says GOI supply on vaccination is limited, he adds.

Mr. Umanath says GOI had allocated 10.3 lakh COVID-19 vaccines to TN for 18 to 45 age group and TN Govt had paid the entire money in advance to the two private manufacturers day before yesterday but vaccines are yet to be supplied.

Mr. Radhakrishnan says drugs such as Remdesivir would be sold through govt counters in few more cities as instructed by new Chief Minister @mkstalin

Mr. Umanath too says new counters would be opened soon as instructed by CM designate .

Mr. Radhakrishnan days many have been arrested for black marketing of drugs and strict vigil is being kept. New govt has decided to implement almost a virtual lockdown from May 6 and expects to reduce COVID-19 cases by this measure. Seeks a direction to Centre to release oxygen.

Additional Solicitor General R Sankaranarayanan says TN was not given revised quantum of oxygen because of various cases pending before different HCs and that the matter is being looked into seriously.

CJ asks Centre to take note that TN needs 450 tonnes of oxygen per day an that the reserves will last only till tomorrow.

Additional Solicitor General says Customs is clearing foreign aid cargo within 45 mins to one hour.

CJ asks Centre to do whatever within its power to ensure oxygen supply is not hindered.

Puducherry Government Pleader says there's no shortage of hospital beds in the union territory.

CJ says court will not interfere if Puducherry is doing well to fight COVID-19.

Advocate C. Kanagaraj complains to HC that private hospitals are charging exorbitant amount of money to treat COVID-19 patients.

Advocate M. Gunasekaran says Puducherry Government is not bringing true facts before court. Says situation in the union territory is very bad. CJ says court will monitor the situation.

Senior Counsel @PWilsonDMK urges Madras HC to direct Centre to release revised oxygen quantity to TN immediately.

Advocate R. Sreedhar says there's acute shortage of hospital beds in govt hospitals in Puducherry.

Judges begin dictating interim orders.