New Delhi: The Supreme Court today directed the centre to conduct free tests for COVID-19 in the private labs as well and to conduct the tests in NABL accredited labs or any agencies approved by the WHO or ICMR, said Advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi who had filed the PIL seeking free tests for coronavirus in all the labs including private.
The bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan has issued notice to the government and have given it two weeks to reply.
"We find prima facie substance in the submission of the petitioner that at this time of national calamity permitting private labs to charge Rs 4,500 for screening and confirmation test of COVID-19 may not be within means if a large part of the population of this country and no person be deprived to undergo the COVID-19 test due to non-payment of the capped amount of Rs 4,500," read the order.
Whether the private labs will be reimbursed for conducting free tests or not will be considered later on. The centre through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that 15,000 tests were being done in 118 labs which were not sufficient and therefore the private labs had to be roped in, 47 private labs were involved.
Expressing his concern the SG said that it is a developing situation and the government doesn't know how many will be needed and how long will the lockdown continue.
The Supreme Court told the government that private labs should not be allowed to charge high amounts and the government could create a mechanism for reimbursement from the government for tests. Solicitor General had said that he would take instructions from the centre.
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