Delhi HC directs Centre, Delhi Govt to ensure real time updation of data on Delhi Corona App

Following the Amicus Curiae's finding that there was a mismatch of information on the availability of the beds and ventilators on Delhi Government's 'Delhi Corona' app, the Delhi High court has directed the Delhi Government and the Central Government to take all necessary steps for ensuring real time updation of the data. (Court on its own motion vs UOI).The order was passed by a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Prateek Jalan in the suo motu proceedings initiated by the Court on the status of healthcare and other facilities in the city during the pandemic..Delhi HC takes suo motu cognizance of video clip of a man struggling to find hospital bed for his COVID-19 positive mother.In his report to the Court, Amicus Curiae Om Prakash pointed out that the Delhi Government's mobile application “Delhi Corona” was not being updated regularly and some of the hospitals run by Central Government and Delhi Government were not even updating the data on the availability of beds and ventilators..It was, inter alia, added that the helpline numbers as provided by the Delhi Government were also not working properly..The Amicus Curiae suggested that Nodal Officers should monitor the allotment of the beds and keep a check on the hospitals which are denying admission to the COVID-19 patients. It was added that real-time updation of data should be done by the hospitals every 8 hours..In response, the Delhi Government submitted that apart from enabling a toll-free helpline for providing seven types of services such as ration, e-pass etc, a special helpline number dedicated only to COVID-19 positive patients had been also been rolled out. .This dedicated helpline will help resolve issues pertaining to availability of ambulances and free medical consultation with a doctor etc..As far as the issue of "Delhi Corona" app was concerned, the Delhi Government stated that it was not responsible for updating data on the mobile application as the same was being done by the hospitals themselves. .The Court was informed that ID and passwords had been given to the hospitals to directly upload the data regarding availability of the beds, ventilators, etc. .It was added that action shall be initiated against those hospitals which were denying beds to COVID-19 patients in spite of availablity. .The Delhi Government also claimed that four Grievance Officers had been appointed for redressal of complaints regarding availability of the ambulance, hospital, beds and ventilators, etc..After considering the submissions made by the parties, the Court opined that there was a need of real-time updation of the data and ordered, .We, therefore, direct Government of NCT of Delhi as well as the Central Government that they shall take all necessary steps for ensuring real time updation of the data, without too much of a time lag, so that the information being received by the public is current. If any Committee is appointed by Government of NCT of Delhi, the said Committee will also take note of this fact that there shall be real time updation of the data on the mobile application developed by the Government of NCT of Delhi.Delhi High Court.The Court also directed the Central Government and Delhi Government to carry as many tests as possible subject to availability of testing kits, with priority to the persons approaching for test on the recommendation of a doctor..The Court also asked the Central Government to consider a suggestion made by an Intervenor with regard to the conversion of multi-speciality facilities/hospitals as COVID-19 hospitals. .The matter would be heard next on June 25..Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra and Additional Standing Counsel Anuj Aggarwal and Advocate Chaitanya Gosain appeared for Delhi Government. .Standing Counsel Kirtiman Singh and Advocate Rohan Anand appeared for UOI..Read the order: