New Delhi: The Centre today told the Supreme Court there is more than adequate stock of oxygen to meet the demand and that there is no need to panic. "There is no shortage of medical oxygen in the country, supply being augmented for COVID-19 relief," the Centre said, at the hearing on issues related to COVID-19.
Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to adopt national immunisation model as poor people will not be able to pay for coronavirus vaccines. "What happens to the marginalised and SC/ST population? Should they be left to the mercy of private hospitals," it asked.
The top court said the government must consider National Immunisation Programme for various vaccines and must think of providing free vaccination to all citizens. Private vaccine manufacturers cannot be allowed to decide which state should get how much, it added.
The Supreme Court yet again questioned the government over the pricing of vaccines. "Why is the government not buying 100 per cent of doses produced in this time? Why should there be two prices for the centre and the states... what is the rationale," it asked.
Further, it said no state should clampdown information if citizens communicate their grievances on social media. "We don't want any clampdown of information. We will treat it as a contempt of court if such grievances is considered for action. Let a strong message go to all the states and DGP of states", the Supreme Court said.
Coronavirus has infected over 3.86 lakh people in India in yet another worrying high and killed 3,498 the last 24 hours. The record numbers come even as a huge international aid operation has been launched with many countries promising help.
Here are the Latest News Highlights:
Apr 30, 2021 23:39 (IST)
Delhi Sees 375 COVID-19 Deaths, Over 27,000 Cases In A Day
Delhi on Friday recorded 375 deaths due to the coronavirus and 27,047 fresh cases with a positivity rate of 32.69 per cent, according to the latest bulletin issued by the city health department.
This is the ninth day on the trot that Delhi has recorded over 300 coronavirus-related deaths.
It had reported 395 deaths, the highest since the pandemic began a year ago, on Thursday; 368 deaths on Wednesday; 381 on Tuesday; 380 on Monday; 350 on Sunday; 357 deaths on Saturday, and 348 on Friday, according to government data.
The national capital had recorded 24,235 cases on Thursday; 25,986 on Wednesday; 24,149 on Tuesday; 20,201 on Monday; 22,933 on Sunday; 24,103 on Saturday; 24,331 on Friday and 26,169 on Thursday.
Apr 30, 2021 16:45 (IST)
Kerala High Court asks response from state on plea seeking to ensure free treatment of COVID patients
Hearing a Public Interst Litigation (PIL) seeking directions for the state government over medical expenses charged by private hospitals in Kerala, the High Court on Friday directed the state government to take a decision into the matter and sought its response by May 4.
The High Court today heard the plea filed by Advocate Sabu Thomas in which he pleaded for a direction to direct the state to re-fix tariff for the private hospital/nursing homes for the treatment of COVID-19 patients including charges of laboratories and Diagnostic Centers.
A bench consisting of Justice Devan Ramachandran and MR Anitha considered the petition seeking to regulate the exorbitant charges fixed by private hospitals for treatment in Kerala.
