The Madras High Court had indicated that the Court was considering taking up- suo motu- the matter governing handling of the COVID-19 situation by the Tamil Nadu government.
The Court considered certain media reports relating to shortage of Remdesivir drug and inadequacy of Oxygen supply. In particular, Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee made reliance to a report in the Tamil edition of the Hindu dated 22/04/21, on Remdesivir being diverted to private entities and to other reports also indicating that there is a shortage in supply of Oxygen and that Oxygen is being diverted to other States.
After requesting Advocate General Vijay Narayan to join the virtual proceedings this morning, Chief Justice Banerjee told the AG:
"We propose to take it up in the second half before anything else ... We don't want to add to the confusion. We want to put you on notice before so you can tell us what measures are being taken. Within the State also, we have sufficient industries that can be required to manufacture Oxygen on a daily basis. Oxygen is a basic thing. The State is also well equipped to transport Oxygen ..."
The Court emphasised that it is only endeavouring to ensure that the State is on the top of things so that the crisis unfolding in other State does not take place in Tamil Nadu.
"We repeat, we don't want to add to the confusion, but we want to be satisfied that the State is on the top of it. Don't create a situation that is there in other States. We will take this matter at 2.15. Please be advised accordingly" Chief Justice Banerjee said.
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