Covid-19 Induced Unemployment and Lack of Income Avenues Have to be Considered by State: Madras High Court [READ ORDER]

The Madras High Court, in light of the subsiding surge in Covid-19 cases, observed that there would now be adequate infrastructure and facilities available and directed the State to consider the plight of the citizens facing unemployment, lack of income, and lack of savings due to expenditure for covid treatments.

In April, a suo moto public interest litigation had been taken up by the first bench of Madras High Court to ascertain whether measures are in place to battle the second surge in Covid-19 cases.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, on Thursday (May 27, 2021), while hearing the suo moto matter noted the fall in the rate of positive cases in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The Bench further noted that the supply of oxygen to the State has been increased by the Center to 650 metric tonnes (MT) per day. The State Government has used its resources to increase and arrange for oxygen generators, and concentrators among others. It has appointed nursing students to monitor the blood oxygen levels of the patients and to discontinue the oxygen supply when it reached the appropriate levels.

The Court further acknowledged the affidavits filed by the Center and stated the position concerning vaccine availability and the availability of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to cure mucormycosis. The affidavit shows the allocation of vaccines in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next 15 days.

The Union Territory of Puducherry perceives its requirement to be 65 MT per day and has presently been allocated a mere 28 MT per day. In that regard, the Court requested the Center to look into the allocation of oxygen supply to Puducherry. 

The Court took note of the suggestions made by the intervenors “It is submitted that at least the face should be covered by some transparent material so that the relatives may have a glimpse of the face for the last time or even identify the person. There are other suggestions for passes to be made available to NGOs who are providing free food to persons who are quarantined and to others who do not have ready access to food”.

The Court directed the Puducherry Government to ensure and maintain discipline across the short stretches and roads in the border areas of Tamil Nadu and the UT so as not to render the lockdown in Tamil Nadu ineffective.

The matter is to be taken up next on May 31, 2021, at 2:15 PM.

[READ ORDER]