COVID-19: PM & HM directly involved in augmenting O2 supply; Centre's affidavit accessed

On Tuesday, Republic TV accessed Centre's affidavit filed in Supreme Court in suo moto plea on issues related to COVID-19 situation in India. An SC bench led by n CJI SA Bobde issued notices to Centre, states and parties who have approached HCs to show cause why apex court cannot pass uniform orders on supply of oxygen, essential drugs, method and manner of vaccination and declaration of lockdown. As per affidavit filed by MHA ditional Secretary Govind Mohan, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are directly involved in augmenting oxygen supply on a war footing. 

It stated that more medical oxygen is being me available every day keeping in mind potential future requirements as well. Moreover, it stressed that political executive has personally intervened to boost O2 production via all available sources within India and importing oxygen from abro. affidavit listed or steps in this regard such as issuing licenses to industrial gas manufacturers to produce oxygen, enhanced production in steel plants, restrictions on industrial use of oxygen, augmentation in availability of tankers, commissioning of Pressure Swing sorption plants, augmentation of availability of cylinders and transportation of O2 by Rail and Air.

Details of affidavit

To begin with, affidavit traced response of Centre since vent of COVID-19 crisis including formation of a high-level Group of Ministers, Empowered Groups, imposition of nationwide lockdown and so forth. During first wave, PM Modi and Prime Minister's Office reviewed COVID-19 situation in 48 meetings from January-December 2020. Moreover, a total of 126 guidelines/visories/SOPs in connection with containment plans. surveillance, testing, etc. were issued to states between January-August 2020. 

Mentioning that 34,228 ventilators were provided by Centre to states in 2020, it ded that exercise of providing ventilators to states has continued as an ongoing process. reafter, it weighed in on augmentation of health and testing infrastructure and empowering states with funds. Moving on to specific steps taken prior to second wave of pandemic, it revealed that PM Modi and PMO held meetings on January 9, January 11, March 17, April 4, April 8, April 13, April 17, April 19 and April 23 to prepare a response to second wave.

It noted, "Furr, utilizing infrastructure available with Central Ministries and in coordination with States, isolation beds (with/without oxygen) were increased to around 15.7 lakhs as compared to 10,180 before lockdown; ICU beds were increased to more than 85,000 as compared to just 2,168 before lockdown specifically for management of COVID-19 cases". According to Centre, an order dated April 15 laid down a framework to meet supply of medical oxygen as per projected demand of states on April 20 (4880 MT), April 25 (5619 MT) and April 30 (6593 MT). However, states such as Uttar Presh, Delhi and Rajasthan revised ir estimates by 100%, 133% and 18% following a surge in COVID-19 cases.

In a veiled reference to oxygen shortage witnessed in some parts of India such as Delhi,  affidavit stressed that medical O2 in any country cannot be "unlimited". It submitted that sheer magnitude of this unprecedented surge itself brings with it certain "inbuilt limitations" in terms of available resources which need to be professionally augmented and utilised. ditionally, it assured that production of Remdesivir is being ramped up. affidavit explained vaccination policy in detail. As far as national plan is concerned, Union government pointed out that a National Disaster Management Plan is alrey in place at national level. Opining that said plan is dynamic in nature, Centre emphasised that it cannot contain microscopic details as to day-to-day management of issues arising out of pandemic.