SC asks Centre to organize for third Covid wave, create buffer of medical oxygen

The Supreme Court Thursday requested the Centre to start out getting ready for the third wave of coronavirus pandemic by making a buffer inventory of medical oxygen.
“We may enter stage three and if we prepare today, we may be able to handle it. Whatever stocks procured needs to be sent to the hospitals. It’s not about allocating it to the state but also the logistics to see that it is distributed to hospitals,” Bar and Bench quoted Justice Chandrachud as saying in the course of the listening to of Centre’s response to non-compliance of its path to provide 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi..
“What is the problem in enhancing the supply (of oxygen)? If it’s not required then it can be stored. But then it can be said that there is no need for oxygen panic. This will be a buffer for Delhi,” he added.
His comment comes a day after Dr Okay V Vijay Raghavan, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister, mentioned the third wave of Covid-19 was “inevitable” given the excessive ranges of the circulating virus and that they couldn’t predict a timeframe for it.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, showing for the Centre, advised the courtroom that it has ensured a provide of 730 MT to Delhi for treating Covid-19 sufferers. He additionally submitted an in depth plan to the courtroom on the procurement and provide of oxygen to numerous states.
The SG argued that if the Centre provides 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi then they must take it from another state’s share. “If there is an adverse consequence then we can’t be held responsible because of someone else’s incompetence,” he mentioned.

To this, Justice Chandrachud mentioned the Centre’s method for allocation of oxygen to states wants a relook whereas calling for an “oxygen audit” throughout the nation.
On Wednesday, the highest courtroom had stayed a contempt discover towards the Centre issued by the Delhi High Court over the non-compliance of its path to provide 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi. However, the courtroom had made clear that it was not stopping the excessive courtroom from monitoring Covid-19 administration associated points.