New Delhi: The Supreme Court questioned the difference in the pricing vaccines supplied to the central government and states.
"Why should the nation pay so much when even AstraZeneca in the US is providing vaccines at a far lower rate," asked a Supreme Court bench.
The court observed that the difference amounts to around Rs. 30,000 crore to 40,000 crores and that there was no point in having a different price.
The bench comprising of Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice L Naswara Rao and Justice S Ravindra Bhat was hearing a suo moto case on distribution of essential supplies and services during the pandemic.
The Union of India had submitted its affidavit on what all has been done in the national plan as per the court's orders.
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The Apex Court had asked the central government to report all steps it has taken to curb Covid-19.
The details sought by the bench include steps taken to ensure supply of tankers and cylinders; planning for enabling cyber-illiterates to register for vaccines; vaccination of crematorium workers and front line workers; discussions over compulsory licensing; why was the central government not buying 100 percent of vaccine doses and then disburse to the states; investment to ramp up manufacturing of vaccines; the mechanism for real-time updates on oxygen allocated to states, districts and hospitals; testing for new variants of virus; regulation of pricing of medicines and services; setting up of temporary covid treatments centres; and steps to tackle the shortage of medicines.
The court observed that medical professionals are reaching a breaking point and merely calling them covid warriors is not enough. Nurses who play a pivotal role are dying and it's time we speak about them and express gratitude. It questioned the centre on why is there no accommodation for the doctors.
On supply of oxygen, the centre informed the court that it has pulled whatever it can from whatever source possible and transportation logistics can be handled at the state level. It informed the court that there is a 24×7 control room and any state in need can contact it and the issue will be addressed.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before the court that the steel sector has made around 16,000 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen available as of 21st April and has supplied 143,000 metric tonnes of LMO since September 2020.
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For less supply of oxygen in Delhi, the court said that the government has an important responsibility to the people of Delhi and the surplus in oxygen supply in the steel sector shall be utilized in Delhi. The Solicitor General responded saying that the centre is walking on a tight rope and diverting a tanker will deprive oxygen to someone else. To Delhi, the court said that it wants to convey a message to the highest level of its government that in this humanitarian crisis lives should not be lost in political bickering and politics can be done during elections.
Additional Secretary Sumita Dwara informed the court that there is 13,000 metric tonnes of surplus oxygen in the country and there is no need to panic. Dwara brief the court through a presentation about the production of oxygen; steps taken to ramp up the supply; steps to ensure its reach to states by air, rail, road routes working for supply, etc. During the hearing, the Solicitor General also clarified that there no requirement of residence proof to get treated in some hospitals.
The court heard the matter for more than four hours today and observed that its hearing should make a difference. It said, it will give orders in the evening and that will be uploaded on May 1 morning. The matter will be heard again on May 10.
