New Delhi: The Apex court on Thursday took suo moto cognizance on supply of oxygen, essential drugs, method of vaccination and judicial power to declare lockdown in the country. The court also issued notice to the centre and has sought a national plan.
The bench led by the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, and comprising of Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice S Ravindra Bhat initiated the suo moto while hearing an application by Vedanta seeking to restart its oxygen plant and give it free of cost.
Emphasising on the need for oxygen, SG Tushar Mehta appearing for the centre and pleaded before the court that the centre is augmenting oxygen from whichever source and Vedanta be allowed to operate and manufacture oxygen only for health purposes.
Also Read: Oxygen supply takes a 'deadly turn' in India
Vedanta submitted that it can manufacture 1000 tonnes of oxygen and is ready to supply it free of cost. Vedanta plant has been under scrutiny since 2018 due to violation of environmental norms.
Also Read: Vaccine policy discriminatory: Sonia Gandhi to PM
Court has appointed Harish Salve as the amicus curiae in the matter and will hear it tomorrow.
Also Read: India plans to import oxygen containers, press IAF into service
