Thread by @barandbench

Delhi High Court will continue hearing batch of petitions to deal with issues arising out of COVID 19 in the national capital.

Hearing before Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh.

@CMODelhi @LtGovDelhi

#DelhiHighCourt
#COVID19

Senior Adv Rahul Mehra makes submissions, says affidavit has been filed, submissions on Indira Gandhi Hospital at Dwarka by Special Secy, Dept of Health and Family Welfare.

#DelhiHighCourt
#COVID19

Court earlier asked for timelines within which construction of certain facilities would be completed and reasons for delay

Mehra:.. during lockdown, pace has been tardy.. endeavor now has been to come up with a timeline that is quick enough to face the 3rd wave #DelhiHC #COVID

Currently the hospital is ground-3rd floor. Has to go up to 7th floor. That is how the beds will be added, Mehra submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

OPD Block with 65 beds and with an additional 200-bed capacity will be ready by June 10

236 beds will be operational after the 4th and 5th floor are added, Mehra submits

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

On 10th June, there will be 65 beds. 200 beds additional can be used in the open hall since OPD will not be required in a COVID hospital.

Once it ceases being a COVID hospital, OPD/open area will not be available and it will go back to having 65 beds, Mehra and Satyakam clarify

By August 15, more PSA plants will be added. 970 beds will be available by Aug 31, Mehra submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

Adv YP Singh asks why govt has not come with clean hands for the delay in constructing the facilities, 1241 bedded facility was supposed to be finalized by Sept 2019.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

The endeavour of milords is when wave 3 comes, how are we prepared with this hospital. If you go postmortem like this, I don't think the petitioner is going to achieve anything: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

If Mr Singh's objective is to not look at what govt's endeavor for the future is, how we are squeezing the entire timeline into 3 months, I have nothing further to say: Mehra

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Justice Jasmeet Singh: Of the 1270 beds, in each phase, in every month, how many will you be earmarking for ICU with ventilator?

Can surely provide in few days, don't have details now, Mehra says

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

Justice Jasmeet Singh: Increase in beds has to be accompanied by increase in ICU and ventilator

Will come back on Monday or Tuesday. Every bed, patient doesn't need a ventilator, for some Bipac machines are there, Mehra adds.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

Court dictates interim order. Court records GNCTD has filed an affidavit. Records that the initial date was Feb 2017. From 700 to 1241, the bed capacity was increased. The revised completion date was Sept 2019.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

Court records endeavour is to see completion at the earliest. Respondent was to provide fresh timelines. Focus at this stage is to find COVID beds including with ICU and ventilator to deal with COVID patients

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Court directs Principal Secy, Health and Family welfare to monitor progress on weekly basis. If there is any breach, the reasons, therefore, should be identified and appropriate disciplinary action be taken against those found guilty of any lapse or negligence

#DelhiHighCourt

This matter (regarding IGH) to be heard next on June 3. State also to indicate how many beds with ICU and ventilators are there in a further affidavit.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19

Amicus Rajshekhar Rao: Two sets of orders and compliances were to be looked it today.

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Mehra takes the Court through its document on tankers for oxygen.

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GNCTD has sufficient cryogenic tankers at its proposal. Now we want to own these tankers. The proposal is being actively assessed. It is work in progress: Senior Adv Rahul Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt

Let's not go in relaxation mode because numbers have gone down : Court

This is the backbone and this is critical. Efforts are being made within country and internationally: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt

201 + 133 MT... current capacity is this. There is IIT Delhi document on how they have said that 200-300 MT tankers are needed for Delhi. Govt is looking into the experience of wave two and looking at a even higher capacity: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt

Court asks Centre about the update on its front.

Adv Nidhi Mohan Parashar says centre would file report by tomorrow. .

Officers were looking at the situation across the country : Parashar

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Entire exercise is for blueprint.. a plan that is actually implemented on the ground: Rao

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We can have it post lunch. We can have Prof Dhir : Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt

We'll do it after lunch. I'm having connection issues: Justice Sanghi

#DelhiHighCourt

Mehra says there are recommendations on Oxygen storage, supply from outside Delhi and oxygen management etc.

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Mehra says there is a plan for third wave COVID also.

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There is a High Powered Committee that has been formed for the third wave by the government.. the report could be placed before the HPC to implement it : Mehra

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We have some suggestions: Senior Adv Krishnan Venugopal

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Let's keep this for afternoon. I lost connection again: Justice Sanghi

#DelhiHighCourt

If we could have another meeting to assess bottleneck and how to take it forward: Mehra

Let's hear then today. Maybe directions are required: Court

#DelhiHighCourt

Senior Adv Nitya Ramakrishnan raises issue of COVID centre.

They should be strengthened by giving them medical, nursing personel. And to also put them to the hotline : Ramakrishnan

#DelhiHighCourt

More load is anticipated. Area surrounding Delhi are pouring in.. concern is about poorest for Delhi. Every hospital must have beds for EWS. But there is no public knowledge : Ramkrishnan

#DelhiHighCourt

Through your ICC or broadcasting service, have info about capacities private hospitals are obliged to have for EWS : Ramakrishnan

#DelhiHighCourt

Other is danger to pediatrics. Attention is to be given to women who are expecting : Ramakrishnan

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Satyakam says they can have a meaningful discussion after they go through the note submitted.

Let the government examine it. You have thought about it. But when you say strengthen COVID centre, if resources are limited.. that disturbs the existing set up : Court

Some things they may find useful but not practical.. in govt hospitals, all beds are free : Court

They are obliged to have quota for EWS : Ramkrishnan

That 10% capacity is there. Hospitals are obliged to display it.. Ms Ramkrishnan wants is to collate it : Mehra

Point is well taken. We will come back on all these suggestions: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt

You consider whatever is practicable: Ramakrishnan

Court dictates order.

Let the note be examined by GNCTD. Suggestions may be examined from the point of view of utility and feasibility: Court

#DelhiHighCourt

Issue remains of ambulances: Adv Rakesh Malhotra

#DelhiHighCourt

2019, Delhi Govt has gone a policy... whereby directions was issued to hospitals not to deny treatment to accident victims: Adv Malhotra

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court notes that it is experiencing technical glitches every few seconds. Says Court will convene at 2.30 when hopefully the technical issues will be fixed.

Bench rises. Hearing to resume at 2.30 pm.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Bench re-assembles.

Two cases concerning Mucormycosis/ #BlackFungus mentioned. One case involves a patient seeking Amphotericin. These were transferred from Single-Bench.

Court says govt can take instructions, matters will be heard when they come up.

#DelhiHighCourt

Prof Sanjay Dhir, IIT Delhi makes submissions.

Prof Dhir: Intention was to happened during COVID second wave, how do we prepare for future assuming third wave is more severe... we have identified 9 challenges.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir: First issue regarding oxygen storing capacity as a buffer... was only 22 MT, created a lot of issues... surge happened and the allocation was outside Delhi... this is taken as a huge risk in the 3rd wave also

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Incompatibility of nozzles, refiller issues, right now there being no oxygen manufacturing unit in Delhi, outsourcing of cryogenic tanks some of the issues flagged wrt to #oxygen by Prof Dhir.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

64% of hospitals in Delhi amount to about 80% of bed capacity. Most of Liquid Medical Oxygen was also allocated to 51 hospitals, Prof Dhir submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

These 51 hospitals can be made more independent/ self-dependent when it comes to oxygen. Proposing that 1 day of the oxygen requirement of Delhi govt (oxygen buffer) should be maintained at storage at the major 51 hospitals, Prof Dhir submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

It is very important that everything is not centrally managed, it should be decentralized: Prof Dhir

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Prof Dhir also submits that these big hospitals can consider generating some amount of #oxygen.

Delhi govt should definitely step in to set up these manufacturing plants: Prof Dhir

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

We are talking about separate technology apart from PSA Plants ... PSA plants would only augment part of their requirement: Prof Dhir

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

26 hospitals in Delhi have a storage capacity of 500 MT. That we are not using: Prof Dhir

Why not, Court asks

Because their daily requirement was not that much...So they were only filling up (amount of #oxygen that they required daily): Prof Dhir

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

The proposal for hospitals to manufacture and store #oxygen is to cater to any #COVID19 surge demands that may be encountered in Delhi.

The 1x storage and 1x manufactured oxygen can easily take care of COVID surge demands, Prof Dhir submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir submits that there is a suggestion to increase the number of refillers of oxygen cylinders or to increase the capacity of cylinders.

He notes that huge queues have been noticed for refilling cylinders.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

The should be a dedicated supply for oxygen cylinder refillers also. When hospitals set up manufacturing plants, they can think of setting up a local refilling station: Prof Dhir

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir says that those suppliers who are ensuring a constant supply of oxygen should be engaged.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

On IT Portal and Dashboard, Prof Dhir says that it is being managed well. But whole problem is that data which is coming from ground is not consistent. If not updated by stakeholders, it creates issues for persons handling, because everything gets arranged on WhatsApp, on phones

On incapability of nozzles with tankers and storage tanks, Court suggests that perhaps the Centre can look into standardising the size.

Prof Dhir says that if this can be done, it would be a good solution.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Apart from decentralized plants, can have an oxygen generation unit in Delhi that the Delhi govt can set up, Prof Dhir submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

You should have #oxygen tankers with varying sizes from 20 MT-100 MT, so you have multiple options to multiple locations, Prof Dhir.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Oxygen audit reports should be by independent agencies, there should be self-audit by the hospital to see it is being used as per rules so there is reduction in wastage of #Oxygen, Prof Dhir says.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court asks whether aspect of what contributes to #BlackFungus has been looked into. Notes there are reports that it is caused by steroid use, use of Industrial oxygen diverted for medical use

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir observes that this aspect has not been gone into yet, offers personal opinion, says medical opinion can be further gathered.

Says oxygen saturation should be kept up to 94, not 96/ 97, because if you are overdosing also, this may come

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus

Prof Dhir adds that industrial oxygen should not be used for patients as this is where possibility of contamination comes

All recommendations made pertain to medical oxygen, including setting medical oxygen plants in Delhi, he says

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Mehra flags concern that earlier some financial difficulties were encountered in setting up oxygen manufacturing plants. Adds that this is not to say saving lives will not assume priority

Court: There are certain costs that have to be bourne

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir says that what is proposed is that decentralised hospitals maintain 250-440 MT #Oxygen, that Delhi govt maintains 207-366 MT Oxygen. Right now govt only maintains about 20-30MT, he informs.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

The number of patients admitted cannot be a proxy for oxygen requirements, many were not able to get hospital beds, Senior Advocate Krishnan Venugopal submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Now that Delhi Govt has increased the number of beds, the oxygen requirements reflected would also increase. The modelling should also take into account, Senior Advocate Krishnan Venugopal submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Venugopal suggests that epidemiological inputs may have to be taken into considerations to get a more likely scenario when it comes to future projection of #Oxygen requirements.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Venugopal suggests that efforts should be on to build up #oxygen buffer stock on days when oxygen demands are low.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Delhi govt should consider passing orders under Disaster Management Act to makes sure hospitals will make this capacity available, so hospitals know that capacity would be taken over by Delhi govt in the future, Venugopal adds.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

Venugopal says that there are more suggestions, requests for permission to place them before the appropriate committee so that the same can be considered.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir responds to Venugopal's submissions. Says that projections are based on the worst-case scenario. He adds that he is open to taking into consideration more inputs.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

This can go on, Court says

Meanwhile, Govt should start working on it, the policy changes, the decisions to be taken: Justice Sanghi

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

The task force is already working on wave 3. Surely the synergy and energy of work undertaken by Prof Dhir and Govt will be taken: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Setting up of (#oxygen) manufacturing plant would go a long way.. you should consider it as a paramount ... that will take care of so many things, storage, movement, evaporation... Just consider: Justice Singh

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra says that he would look into it further. One question is whether the report is for one plant for the city of Delhi or multiple plants

Rao notes that the report calls for 51 hospitals to manufacture 1x oxygen, so it may be latter.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

Court says such plants would have to be set up regardless of whether there is no return

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

Justice Sanghi adds: There is a return, return is in such times of crisis, you will not face loss of lives for lack of resources. So there is a return, but it may not be as tangible as you would expect

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #Oxygen

Mehra: Surely no sensible person will say this is the end of the pandemic... if there are more, we will surely have to look at how to deal with them... it has been very traumatic for most of us. We cannot afford to have similar experience ever again

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court dictates interim order. Records that a comprehensive report has been filed.

Let GNCTD file a time chart indicating timelines within which the several steps need to be taken, to be placed before the court within the next 4 weeks.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra, after getting instructions: Is it possible to say that broadly govt is agreeable with this report. If there are minor issues, will sit with Prof Dhir.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra: Milordship would give that much leeway.. just so it does not read as it is binding on govt

Justice Sanghi: Don't worry, when we finalize order, we will give you that leeway. There may be practical things you may encounter on the ground.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra: On instructions, broadly, we are all on the same page. We will surely implement to the extent possible

Justice Sanghi: You do that. We will give 4 weeks. You prepare a timeline. You have a plan. Within this much time, what should be done

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Amicus makes a submission re oxygen audit

Mehra raises objection that certain aspects are going beyond SC mandate, with oblique motive

Mehra: I take serious objection when UOI is being piggybacked like this ... I try and ignore a lot of things..

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court says let Rao make his submission.

Amicus Rao is now making submissions on PSA plants.

He adds that audit suggestions are being made from a technical aspect.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Suggestions by Amicus would dilute or digress from what reports says. This is a decentralized mode adopted in Prof Dhir's report. Both could be good suggestions. Do we want decentralized or centralized where govt would have control? : Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Govts are not that professional in handling, hospitals know best how to augment, use, distribute. I would say, we should go towards the decentralized way. Unless Court or amicus suggests we should go in the centralized way: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Venugopal suggests that the approach suggested by Amicus and Mehra can be reconciled by engaging individuals on a contract basis, with support by Delhi govt, hospitals etc.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

We are dealing with a once-in-a-century pandemic.. point is that do we create such a huge infrastructure that may never be used? To go by historical evidence, the last pandemic was in 1920: Court

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

It may be better, the State and the hospitals, they know their economy... it is left to them. Bottom line, we must have provision for at least this much, we must set a baseline: Court

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Beyond that, how it should be done, centralized or decentralized, whether expert should be appointed... we cannot work on that. We have to leave to the people on the ground who are working: Court

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

On request, Court adds in order that the time-chart to be filed under the sign of Chief Secretary, Delhi Govt.

Adv Satyakam requests that it be added that govt would look into feasibility of measures. Court assures this will be added.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Senior Adv Nitya Ramakrishnan says that there are reports of Delhi govt disengaging doctors engaged, this is premature at this point of time, she says.

Don't have instructions, will come back on it, Mehra submits

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Some recruits appear to have not liked the conditions and went back after 1 or 2 days, Amicus Rao notes.

Only flagging the issue since it affects citizens, Ramakrishnan says.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Rao says #oxygen buffer stock of Delhi is being stored outside Delhi. Suggests those stocks can be stored inside so the plants can be free to supply to other States.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir says that the report had called for both decentralized oxygen plants at hospitals and centralized oxygen manufacturing plant to be controlled by the Delhi govt.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Prof Dhir says that there is also a suggestion for having local refilling plants, small hospitals can depend on refilling plants set up by nearby big hospitals.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court: It's like investing in an insurance policy.. because we don't know when they will need it. It will be an expense well worth...

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra: I have never objected to an audit. Have nothing to hide.. but an audit of the kind that the central govt was pushing for in the SC, I have serious objections.. audit of the kind where you are doing witch-hunting of a particular govt...witchhunt and pass the buck

#DelhiHC

Justice Sanghi: All the professor is saying is if there should be a technical person conducting the audit, he will see if there is any wastage, contamination, whether more #oxygen is supplied than what is required, whether meters are of good quality or not..

#DelhiHighCourt

Mehra says, as a counsel representing a sensible govt, all such kinds of audits are welcome, audits with the right purposes are welcome.

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Court and counsel muse on what remuneration should be given to Prof Dhir for compiling the report.

Prof Dhir:.. I didnt do it for money at all... I am okay with anything. If there is no remuneration, I am okay

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court dictates order: In appreciation of work gone into a report by Prof Dhir, we are of view that GNCTD may as a token Rs 50k ...

Satyakam says this is too less

Mehra: At least 1 lakh

#DelhiHighCourt records that Rs 1 lakh will be given as token of appreciation to Prof Dhir

Court adds: Said amount is only a token of appreciation and does not represent the value of his work in any way

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra makes submissions on Amphotericin allocation on pro-rata basis depending on how many vials are allocated from the Centre.

Over 1,020 (720 from one supplier, 300 from another) vials today. 411 active cases today.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

This way, every single patient will get something or the other. Right now, it has been first in first out. Many others would get left out. From today, we have decided this is the manner... since GOI is also proceeding on pro-rata basis: Mehra

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID

This is the policy decision, you are faced with this kind of shortage of a life-saving drug. When the pandemic was at its peak, the state took a policy decision, can you leave this to the hospital? Court asks.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID

ASG Chetan Sharma makes some submissions, notes that there are various medicines that can be used for treatment, but the doctor takes a call on which is more appropriate. To this extent, Mehra is right he says.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Mehra says he was making a slightly different point. Adds that if the medical experts prescribing, who are we to question? If they are asking, all we can do is augment it, he submits.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Whatever is allocated against any hospitals, we are giving straight away so there is complete transparency, so it actually reaches where it is allocated, Mehra says.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Adv KK Singh: Ground reality is different. The patient I am talking about had both eyes in the morning. Now when I am talking to you, he has lost both eyes. Max Hospital, Saket. Was not given Amphoetricin for five days. I feel shame

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Adv Rizwan speaks of another patient suffering from Black Fungus

Rizwan: What the hospital said is shocking. Both drugs are in short supply. The patient is requested to procure the same on their own ...It is the fight between two govts

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Court: There is no fight ...

Rizwan: ... every patient of Black Fungus needs at least five doses daily milord... Court has already taken cognizance of the shortage of supply...

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Rizwan reads the earlier court order.

Rizwan: My submission is this. The UOI, they are not adequately supplying the required medicine to GNCTD ...

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Justice Sanghi: Mr Rizwan, are you aware of ground realities? ... There is no way we are going to pass an order that whatever vials you require should be made available to you in preference to everyone else.

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Justice Sanghi: If there is a limited supply of the medicine... even the producers, they do not have the wherewithal... There is a shortage of basic ingredient required to make the medicine... if there is a genuine shortage..

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

Court: Had passed an order if you get the medicine anywhere in the world, get it, you won't even have to pay customs. Not saying that your patient should not get it. All we are saying is that we will not pass an order saying your patient should get and deny it to other patients

Court: Most unexpectedly, nobody even had heard of #BlackFungus a month ago... it is manifesting in patients who had taken treatment for covid, administered steroids, diabetics.. whatever resources are available, the govt is trying its best... it takes time...

#DelhiHighCourt

Court: That's why we said, why don't you import it if you can? Not only for personal consumption ... you also don't even have to pay duty... How do we pass an order saying you give to Mr. A and not Mr. B?

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Rizwan: Yesterday cases of black fungus were 620, as stated by CM. He had requested the Centre to speed up the supply of medicine.

Court notes that there is now a portal to allocate the medicine, as per availability and need.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Court: This is a problem we are facing. We are living in this hell, all of us are living in this hell. Even if we want to help everyone, we are not able to help ... just because someone has not come to court (does not mean they can be denied relief)

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus

Rizwan says that the patient is in dire need of the medicine.

Court: Every patient suffering from this disease is in dire need of the drug.

What efforts are being made to import the drug? Court asks ASG Sharma

#DelhiHighCourt #BlackFungus #COVID19India

ASG Chetan Sharma reads submissions, reads that efforts are being made to procure 2.3 lakh vials of Liposomal Amphotericin b from six countries. Outlines timelines, says alternative drugs, new manufacturing facilities, increasing production etc. is being explored

#DelhiHighCourt

Venugopal: We had requested, and the court had orally observed, that they may consider whether the Delhi govt could import through Disaster Management Authority where sources are identified.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Kirtiman Singh: Today we have a situation where India is the biggest buyer of this formulation. We are procuring it for a certain rate. If there are other buyers also, we have a situation where people may begin to hedge.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Venugopal: We are hearing these heartbreaking stories every day.. today we somehow need to augment supplies for the short term. UOI is doing a commendable job to augment supply for the medium and long term. But we need supplies today.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Court asks when the 2 lakh 30k of Amphotericin for which order was placed would arrive.

Order has been placed, will tell you when I come back on Monday: Kirtiman Singh

We are running against time. If you placed the order on 24th, today. it should be here: Court

#DelhiHighCourt

We have asked missions, they will procure. Update says order is under process, Adv Nidhi Mohan Parashar says.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

#DelhiHighCourt: Please see the time factor.. Every day matters. Rizwan says in the morning he had both eyes, by afternoon he lost one eye. The pace needs to be on a war footing

ASG Sharma: It is on war footing...we had a meeting ... all are taking it up on a 24x7 basis

Justice Jasmeet Singh: We are only expressing our anxiety because of the proportions this thing is assuming. Every hour is assuming a new proportion.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra objects to being interrupted, argues that every time he speaks, three counsel from the central govt "pounces" on him

Kirtiman Singh: I did not do so even when you were on oxygen audit, I let oxygen audit pass

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Central govt counsel says as a DGHS officer has been waiting.

Mehra: Officers are supposed to wait sir, this is a serious issue

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Court asks all counsel to calm down.

Justice Sanghi: Take it easy

Court remarks that there is short supply, Centre is doing all it can.

Mehra now argues that the Centre has not done everything it can.

#DelhiHighCourt

Mehra refers to time taken to sensitise ministers.

Mehra: ... 9 days! God knows how many lives have been lost. That is the sensitivity that the centre shows ...

ASG Sharma: Please keep the politician out and address as a lawyer

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Mehra: If everything I say is going to be scuttled, how am I going to ...? I am not trying to put central govt on the mat. All I am saying is you have sensitized your officers, very good. But can we do it with some alacrity?

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Can centre place by Monday or Tuesday that they have taken, globally, all possible measures possible to (augment amphotericin) as they have done domestically? Mehra argues

ASG Sharma: Yes, yes, yes, I say it three times

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Kiritiman Singh: We will do everything irrespective of what Mehra tells us or not... What are the efforts that the Delhi govt has done?

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Justice Jasmeet Singh: It's already 5. Let us maintain some decorum here.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

ASG Sharma: At least none of my colleagues have not made any comments on their status reports. But without exception, our status report has been ... all over the place

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Justice Sanghi: You need to alternate your stamina, all of you, because we are completely...

Venugopal seeks to make submissions

ASG: At 4.40 when lordship said let's call it a day, you said give me 2 mins. Now it's been 40 mins

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Court tells ASG Sharma that Centre should produce on Monday definite report on the status of the 2.3 lakh amphotericin which is being procured from abroad - where are they, what is the state, when are they coming, have orders been placed or not, and why this figure of 2.3

Senior advocate Venugopal seeks to make submissions: Have not been able to speak because of the fighting. Two things.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India

Venugopal seeks clarification of import duties of amphotericin.

Kirtiman Singh says that there are three notifications depending on how it is procured (personal use, through a pharmacist, commercial import)

Court says Court's order re IGST also covers commercial use.

Court dictates interim order. Records UOI's consolidated status report. Records steps taken by MEA to procure 2.3 lakh amphotericin B. UOI to place detailed current status of this imports which will be considered on Monday.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

UOI has to indicate why the figure of 2.3 lakhs was decided, and whether there is further availability of drug which could be imported, Court adds.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India #BlackFungus

Mehra: Sincere apologies, milord

ASG: We always do this, apologies

Rao: Now instead of fungus, they should think of fun guys.

Justice Sanghi recalls anecdote where a person commented that he would prefer to be part of the "fun raising" and not "fund-raising" committee.

Matter posted next on Monday.

Hearing over.

#DelhiHighCourt #COVID19India