Delhi High Court hears another plea on Oxygen Shortage by Maharaja Agrasen Hospital [LIVE UPDATES]

Recently, the Court has come to the rescue of a number of hospitals who approached it while they were running out of oxygen supply for their COVID-19 positive patients.

. The Delhi High Court is hearing another plea concerning Oxygen Shortage by Maharaja Agrasen Hospital.

. Advocate Alok Aggarwal: We're running two hospitals with 306 patients. We almost ran out of oxygen last night. We must thank Mr Mehra but we will run out this afternoon. We are discharging patients. We have already discharged. We did beg, borrow in the streets.

. Hospital before Court is Maharaja Agrasen Hospital.

Counsel Tushar Thareja for Batra Hospital also present.

. It is the same story everyday. What is the situation on supply front : Court

. The officer has not slept the whole time. 24x7 real time monitoring .. he along with all concerned, nodal officers, DMs.. order of contempt is made known. Anxieties are well placed. We are fighting the battle of our lives: ASG Sharma

. Aircrafts have gone to Durgapur.. logistical difficulties are coming in. Filling of tankers takes time. We are working overtime with State authorities : ASG Sharma

. Nodal officer for Centre, Piyush Goyal is online.

Goyal : We have virtual control centre. We are working on minute to minute basis. We passed order under Disaster management Act. Delhi govt also tried to work out something.

. They have linked smaller hospitals with larger ones. Supply chain has to be worked out. I was awake the whole night working with Mr Udit (Delhi government nodal officer) : Goyal

. Goyal says there were issues in Haryana, UP.

. What about Kalinga Nagar and Rourkela? : Court

. Airforce has worked out a plan for Durgapur. Filled up tanks can't be brought via air. Not aware of other two locations: Goyal

. Court asks about Railways.

. I believe something is being worked out for other cities including Delhi. No stone is left unturned: Goyal

. We don't want to interrupt your work but place with information before us : Court

. What is the schedule, turn around time. Place that before us.. so that allocation is met : Court

. There are 106 in critical care. I'll have to otherwise discharge patients. We need immediately some oxygen so that bare minimum is met : Maharaja Agrasen

. Today it is you, yesterday it was some other. We are reading the papers. We are aware of the situation: Court

. Yesterday we said go to the nodal officer so that whatever supplies are there, they could be rushed : Court

. We would require security cover. We are not able to take anymore patients: Maharaja Agrasen Hospital

. Whatever is going to be the intake, we will supply. We can't create oxygen out if thin air. There is a solemn assurance..by Centre: Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra

. As a responsible government, the responsibility falls on you also : Court

. Mehra appears for Delhi Govt.

. Court asks Delhi govt to set up own oxygen plants.

. This issue was raised yesterday. We said they should look at the mapping, allocation. We have already said that : Court

. Allocation is of 480MT.. we are getting 350-380MT. Yesterday we received 295 MT. Instead of increasing, if my MT get reduced: Mehra

. Suppliers have not supplied : Mehra

. Why? Which of those? You have a central control room : Court

. Mehra says communication is on real time basis. Net result is before the Court : Mehra

. Court asks Mehra to tabulate why oxygen supply was falling short.

. Inox has a complete chain. Though Inox was to supply initially, we now have Air Linde and others who are just producers. Inox will go there and pick it up. Inox is not under any contract. Some days they do, some days they don't : Mehra

. Right now because of total chaotic situation... completely mismanaged functioning. We are micro managing. Please formulate something right now. If we don't get 480, there is some incident going to happen: Mehra

. This entire functioning will collapse in 24 hours if we don't put our house in order : Mehra

. All 480 with a time line must be given to the Delhi Nodal officer.. : Mehra

. When it will come to Delhi, which tanker.. so that we are able to create a schedule for 24 hours. Right now we are giving for 2-3 hours because we don't have it : Mehra

. That commitment must come in writing from Central Government: Mehra

. Delhi govt should have 10 IAS officers at the top monitoring it. And 14 danik officers. We have 140 hospitals and nursing homes : Mehra suggests.

. We cannot take it easy. These are human lives. Delhi govt has consented to it. We are creating a back up team. Mr Udit with his best intentions can't do it alone : Mehra

. Some hospitals have a hold on the supply chain and even they can't get it.. wherever these plants are situated, local officers are sitting there. They are only rationing it at the end. They are diverting to their own States : Mehra

. Any specific instances will have to be brought to life.

We will initiate proceedings right away: Court

. I will do in in-camera proceedings. Otherwise they can't function : Mehra

. This definite info will have to be placed before us : Court

I will try and persuade them and come on affidavit: Mehra

We are not going to spare anyone. Whether junior or senior. Even Centre is strict about it : Court

. Ms Sumita Dabra : I would like to place the narrative from our side. I'm not aware where these figures are coming from. We had issues in Panipat. It is sorted out..

. 140 MT movement has gone.. : Ms Sumita as she says that she was informed that there were no problems expect local logistics in Delhi.

. There is no clarity on how much has to go to which hospital. I've informed Delhi Govt: Ms Sumita

. There is last mile disruption in delivering of oxygen, says Ms Sumita

. I don't know where these numbers are coming from: Ms Sumita

. Delhi hospital demand was 326 on April 22. This is an ongoing thing. Pressure is on the same system. Delhi govt has to see the system is strengthened. Same hospitals are demanding again: Ms Sumita

. She says there was some confusion with respect to supply from Inox to Agrsen.

. What has been allocated must be translated. Let them say Delhi government is doing abc which is wrong and that's why supply is not coming : Mehra

. Address the Court not outside: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta

. We know what is going on. Let us concentrate on the problem. Whichever supplier it is coming from, that 100 has to go to which particular hospital: Court

. Exactly this.. there is a cascading effort. We start doing pro rata distribution : Mehra

. Mehra again presses for supply for 480MT.

. It has been fourth day today : Mehra

. It will continue for 3-4 days more till there things iron out. Let's stop this I versus They narrative : SG Mehta

. I would avoid saying all those things for three reasons. I would not sensationalise.. we must be very careful of whatever we say here.. it is creating panic : SG Mehta

. There is some communication gap. All my officers are secretary level officers. Let some responsible officer of State be here: SG Mehta

. An officer unlike us would be dispassionate: SG Mehta

. Is Mr Udit here : Court

. He's the nodal officer and is constantly answering sos calls : Mehra

. Let the Chief Secretary be here: SG Mehta

. The court is dealing with a human problem. I don't want any officer to waste time here but my officers are here to assist : SG Mehta

. We are not on Chief secretary. We are saying there is merit in the point. If there was somebody from your side.. that information could be shared : Court

. There are two queries. Every query.. we have placed everything on record.. instantly we have given answers: Mehra

. Mehra shares the info on supply of oxygen to Delhi.

. Inox was our best supplier. On 105, he is giving at 84.09 ...out of 480, it is 309.41 : Mehra

. 380 to 309. There is drop. There is drop of 170 from promised amount: Mehra

. We have sent letter to the Central government on supply of oxygen through proper channel .. : Mehra

. Let us come to the point. Otherwise we are wasting a lot of time : Court

. Centre should be kind enough.. we would request if they could immediately take a call if this : Mehra

. If oxygen express is going to happen in 24 hours, we need not go anywhere: Mehra

. What is the change over time, what is the schedule, quantity. If all this can be communicated, we can plan : Mehra

. Has your nodal officer raised with the Centre: Court

. Yes : Mehra.

. What is the purpose behind saying all this before this court : SG Mehta

. I would insist let a responsible officer say all this. These discussions have taken place: SG Mehta

. I'm not taking ab adverserial stand. Mapping is interfered with if there is an emergency somewhere. That's why no other HC is being controlled. My officers are going this pan India: SG Mehta

. I spoke to Nodal officer on Delhi (on no supply from Rourkela). The supply was ready but nobody was there to take it. All other States are collaborating for tankers, railway. For Delhi, it's like they are to be served on the platter. We are helping States: Goyal

. Delhi officers need to do that : Goyal

. Please don't treat it as an allegation : SG Mehta

. It appears that officers in Delhi government are not aware of the rule.. : Court

. I'll request the Chief Secretary to join..let that go away and then we can concentrate on the order : Mehra

. I've been requesting from day one. There is some communication gap : SG Mehta

. Situation in Batra Hospital.. 33 are in ICU and 160 require oxygen.. I received a tanker which will last not more than one hour : Counsel Tushar

. We will also run out : Maharaja Agrasen

. Ultimately you have to go to nodal officer. We are not in a position to direct supply: Court

. We are not going to say supply to one and don't supply to another..as situation develops, we are dealing with it : Court

. This 20 MT which was to come from UP has not come bevy tanker was not arranged. If there are any other issues, Mr Goyal : Court

. When do you think 480 will start coming? : Court

. Yesterday 25 people died because we didn't have oxygen supply : Jaipur Golden Hospital mentions the matter.

. We are literally gasping for breath : Senior Advocate Sachin Dutta

. The court is doing it : SG Mehta

. We've already lost lives. Patients are losing lives. We have 30-45 mins oxygen left : Dutta

. Rakesh Malhotra says Delhi govt allocation to hospital has to be shared.

. One hospital has for 5-6 days, and others are gasping.. : Malhotra

. Because we don't know how much is being supplying to whom : Mehra

. We are going to issue a direction that your nodal officer be informed which supplier is supplying how much to whom: Court

. They are not disclosing it to Delhi government because of past contracts : Mehra

. There has to be an end to end check. Hospitals should also share with us : Mehra

. Mehra says suppliers should also disclose why they are not supplying.

. Next is refilling units .. which hospitals can do there. These units should tell which hospital is given how much and at what time. Right now we don't know the supply or demand line : Mehra

. There has to be some mechanism at Delhi Govt level. There has to be some system: SG Mehta

. We are putting a system in place : Mehra

. Start it immediately: SG Mehta

. You start your allocation immediately: Mehra

. This is not MY allocation. This is our allocation : SG Mehta

. Mr Mehta, just tell us we want a definite date. When is the 480 MT coming. It was your assurance.. : Court

. 480 is still to see the light of the day. This is the only problem today: Court

. Nobody is saying you are not working or being unfair.. citizens can't be allowed to die like this : Court

. I know my responsibility. I'm not saying anything. Let's try and not be a cry baby : SG Mehta

. There are groups working on this. We will update : Ms Sumita Dabra from Centre.

. In roorkee, vehicle didn't reach from Delhi. Maharashtra is mobilising vehicles and sending them. State Govt is taking a lot of interest: Ms Sumita

. There are no heavy industries in Delhi. You don't have nitrogen, argan tanks. They can't do it: Court

. Sumita Dabra says needs of States are given to a sub- committee on transportation.

. UP moved oxygen from Bokaro for Lucknow and Varanasi in 48 hours. Railways has not received requisition from Delhi but I will update: Sumita

. I spoke to CS, Delhi. I asked him to work out a mechanism for real time update. Right now we are on request basis : Goyal

. Give time to Delhi govt officers to sort it out and take our help : Goyal

. The chief secretary is in a meeting with suppliers. He will join as soon as that it over : Mehra

. OSD health has already joined : Mehra

. SG Mehta and Mehra break into a verbal scuffle.

. Whole day yesterday we called your officers, they didn't do anything: Dutta to Mehra

. We've been trying to conduct these proceedings in a pleasant environment. Let's not raise our voice Mr Mehra: Court

. We don't lose are cool. We don't take it that way : Court

. Your tone and tenor should not be offensive : Court

. This is not the time to settle these.. it really pains me to say this.. Don't use adjectives. When we are dealing with something more important.. : Justice Palli.

. The production.. supply line is secondary. Where is the production happening: Mehra

. Let's focus on 480, everything will be sorted : Mehra

. Production is not a problem: Goyal

. Goyal takes the Court through the additional allocation.

. This is readily available. Problem is of logistics: Goyal

. Have tanks been sent to Rourkela and Kalinga nagar? : Court

. Railways says they are waiting for tankers from Delhi. We have huge stocks on East side. 15k MT + is there: Sumita Dabra

. Delhi doesn't have tankers. Mr Mehra you do that ( write to the sub-committee) : Court

. OSD Health Ashish Verma, Delhi govt joins.

. There seems to be some action gap: Court

. Certain steps which you were required to take, you have not : Court

. Once this virtual room is there, you are expected to be doing these things directly through them and not through us. When other States are doing this, there's no excuse why you are not : Court

. Ms Dabra is saying there is no shortage. Even for that (arrangement of tankers) there is a body : Court

. Usually suppliers have tankers. Tankers are in factories. Tanks are being captured by local authorities: Mehra

. Till such time can't be put a mechanism in place: Mehra

. Mechanism is there but till the time you don't move, it will not work : Court

. You are also administering Delhi. Independent of the political help, the bureaucracy knows what to do. You do that: Court

. Air liquide is not providing tankers. Delhi govt with limited resources, got tankers and is sending them : Mehra

. You are talking about tankers in vicinity.. what about the three locations.. : Court

. If tankers were available in India, would we have imported: Mehra

. This letter, formal letter will do. This was raised in the war room : Mehra

. Court asks Delhi govt officers.

. What endeavour have yoy made on tanker front : Court

. We are seeing what we can do with Nitrogen, Aragn tankers in Delhi : Verma

. You don't have tankers in Delhi : Court

. We ate contacting them (Centre) : Verma

. Then there is a perception that oxygen has been allocated and (supply will come): Court

. We will widen our efforts: Verma

. What have you done? Have you contacted the plants? Have you made an effort there? : Court

. It was three days ago. .. whose fault is it why is it not coming : Court

. If their (Delhi govt) house was in order, I would not be in a predicament: Dutta

. Let's not resort to this (blaming): Court

. SG Mehta says govts talk to suppliers for tankers.

. Delhi govt can discuss with suppliers. Many govts are doing that : SG Mehta

. We have been engaging with suppliers. After a lot of frantic calls.. we are also facing challenges: Mehra

. Mehra says Inox allocation has been reduced.

. Court : Let's have a production discussion. Why are you bringing it again and again.

. Now that Delhi govt has been sensitised.. on this forum you've been told. Please start this process right away. So that tankers are made available: Court to SG Mehta

. It shall be done . Let's not stop them (from requisitioning tankers) : SG Mehta

. Please arrange the tankers so that they can be transported to Delhi : Court

. Tankers can't be brought back filled up : SG Mehta

. Yes, we're aware. Train is also ready we're told : Court

. Mehra reads the court order on SG Mehta's assurance.

. Once tanker reaches Delhi, wish there is some system to supply to each hospital allocation wise. UP has gps tag for real time tracking : SG Mehta

. You should have somebody looking at procuring tankers for Delhi and other UTs: Court

. We have not faced with problem elsewhere. All States and UTs are arranging on their own way: SG Mehta

. We don't need the order for starting : SG Mehta

. Other aspect is .. it was in papers. According to IIT, Delhi, peak will come in mid May... it's ba tsunami. How are we trying to build the capacity: Court

. How are we preparing as on date to deal with mid May. What are the projections.. we are know this disease has a low mortality...some will eventually die. What is not good that where people who could be saved, we are losing those: Court

. It is our responsibility to see that those who can be saved are brought back from death : Court

. We should be able to reduce mortality: Court

. This is being considered. Praying that it doesn't come true. There may be a rapid rise. We have to be ready for the worse. This is not to create panic: SG Mehta

. 50k MT oxygen is being imported. Others areas are being augmented. Wherever possible, oxygen production is being tapped : SG Mehta

. Message has gone from PM and HM to suppliers that if they send oxygen to chosen parties, you would straight go to jail : SG Mehta

. SG Mehta says some Delhi hospitals don't have storage capacity and it's being looked into.

. Ms Sumita Dabra said there was spike in Uttarakhand and supply for Haryana had to be sent there: SG Mehta

. So far we have ensured that nobody in the country was left without oxygen: SG Mehta

. Court points out Jaipur Golden.

. It has to be examined whether it was oxygen or something else. But I take it as it is : SG Mehta

. We have written to every authority possible for oxygen supply. My name is not even in the list of supply : Maharaja Agrasen

. Please contact nodal officer: SG Mehta

. We have done that : Maharaja Agrasen

. Delhi govt be requested to put it in the list : SG Mehta

. Root of everything is 480: Mehra

. Mehra reads Court order on supply from shorter distances to Delhi.

. On 21st, there was an assurance. On 23rd, it was for Delhi govt to write to Centre : Mehra

. This is going again and again : ASG Sharma

. Have you written to Centre on re allocation: Court

. Yes : Mehra

. You send anything to me, please do not make it a public broadcast issue. I'm sure you will not do it : SG Mehta

. Mehra shares the letter to Centre with Court.

. What we had in mind was not the exercise done by you: Court

. The chart gave pan India supply allocation, says court.

What we wanted was for you apply your mind and suggest in a positive way that instead of abc, given from efg and these States can get from this place : Court

. We'll place it in the manner : Mehra

. Person dealing with your request, his answer is where will the other state get it from.. as if you're not concerned about other people thye are serving : Court

. Make a positive suggestion : Court

. We will give a detailed request letter : Mehra

. Yesterday I spoke to the officer and answer was that the allocation was made in presence of State officials. Delhi Special Secretary was aware : SG Mehta

. SG Mehta says it can still be relooked into.

. These three places were added after consultation with Delhi official : Sumita Dabra

. Today also we are sitting. We are sitting with manufacturers and considering constructive suggestions: Dabra

. When do we expect the supply of 480. Whoever is at fault is at fault. Ultimately citizens will suffer : Court

. Delhi will have a meeting with suppliers. Railways is ready. It's just tankers. UP brought in 48 hours : Dabra

. Do something. Don't just say Central govt will facilitate: SG Mehta

. We need to have pan India allocation for giving constructive suggestion.. can we be supplied it : Mehra

. That allocation is already available. That was shared with us : Court

. We will do this exercise: Mehra

. Regarding transportation, centre will look into the mechanism and Delhi govt would send a letter : Mehra

. It should have been done three days ago: SG Mehta

. It was because of your assurance: Mehra

. Your officials will also not be so naive, says Court.

. They are saying Durgapur is ready. What about other plants? : Mehta

. Tankers are the issue : Court

. For the time being, since tankers have gone to Durgapur, could you transfer 100 MT from Durgapur? : Court

. We'll examine. There may be other tankers from other States: Dabra

. This would definitely be looked into without prejudicing other States : SG Mehta

. Mehra says submissions was 480 would be supplied in Delhi.

. If they are not available, you get back to central group: Court

. I checked with sub committee.. because of huge surge, there is shortage of tankers. Hence imports.. even States govts are working every hard. They've spoken to industrialists. Delhi, Centre have to work together: Goyal

. Help us to help you : SG Mehta

. Two industrialists have been contacted. Most states govt have already taken the tankers.. we are doing whatever best .. : Mehra

. Alright both of you work together.. it you can't, role of central government will come : Court

. We will direct suppliers to provide information : Court

. SG Mehta says supply to private contracts have stopped.

. Let that figure (on supply) come to us : SG Mehta

. There has to be transperancy: Court

. They can't leave the hospitals in the lurch. Yesterday I lost 21 lives: Dutta

. Delhi is not an oxygen producing State. If they don't know, how can they communicate: Court

. Would the court at least direct NCT of take necessary steps. They are already in last 45 mins : Dutta

. Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur : We have 5 mins left and 40 mins backup. If 10 MT can be given to these four hospitals, we will tide over today.

. Counsel press for police security.

. We will direct: Court

. There was a Delhi govt order which disrupted supply yesterday: SG Mehta

. You can keep the Hospitals in confidence so that they can inform the families: Dutta

. We have heard enough: Court

. Our name has to be added. We have 300 people: Maharaja Agrasen

. The Nodal Officer Delhi is in touch with suppliers. I personally have been taken update from him. It is not that he is not aware. Supply is there. Issue is of transportation: Goyal

. We are fully aware of everything of Supply front : Goyal

. We are not aware of what is being finally delivered to which hospital. One hospital has 4-5 days when others are suffering: Mehra

. No State is finding this difficulty. There should be some introspection : SG Mehta

. There is complete apathy of your officers, Mr Mehra: Dutta

. Prabhsahay Kaur appeared for Saroj Super Speciality.

. Issue notice : Court

. Court begins dictating the order.

. Once again we are faced with the same issue: Court

. Court records the submissions.

. Court takes note of all four hospitals before it.

. The problems that Delhi continues to face arise primarily on account if the fact that supply of oxygen even at the allocated rate is not taking place. Reasons appear to be several: Court

. So far as Durgapur is concerned, tanks are being filled. Railways in waiting to transport as soon as it is loaded: Court records

. For Rourkela and Kalinga nagar, we have been informed that GNCTD has not arranged tanks: Court

. Court records submissions on Delhi having no tanks.

. Let GNCTD take steps in this regard with help of the sub group. In case tanks are in short supply, we are hopeful that Centre shall create a system for rotational use : Court

. SG Mehta says this may be said in the order.

. We're only making a suggestion. Order is to consider the suggestion. We're just trying to nudge you : Court

. We are being informed on 4th day that they are unable to arrange the tankers: SG Mehta

. They are all aware of it : Mehra

. Cut that out. Say Mr Mehta says Centre will look into the issue so that arrangement is made for transportation of liquid oxygen in coordination with GNCTD: Court

. Efforts by GNCTD cannot be discounted. Can't leave it to central government: Court

. Their assurance is there. Gas is there. Even today they are not saying it is not there. If takers are available, gas is available, they'll examine (sending more from Durgapur) : Court

. A lot of things are said there. We don't know how much is being said there : Court

. Mr Mehra has stated that yesterday only 309 MT was received till mid night. We are informed that this was on account of arrangements not being made of cryogenic tankers : Court

. GNCTD should therefore make all out efforts for procuring cryogenic tankers : Court

. Sub group should help in this regard. We expect officers of both governments to coordinate in this regard : Court

. We direct all suppliers to provide complete details of oxygen they supply in Delhi by providing details of hospitals. Details be given to the Nodal officer: Court

. Court records Mehra's submission on expanding the team to monitor supply of oxygen.

. Even the re fillers are not providing info. We provide re fillers to provide complete into the GNCTD. Once complete team is readied by GNCTD, it should be communicated to hospitals and uploaded on website: Court

. Mr Mehra you provide that info (on oxygen plants in Delhi) on Monday: Court

. Court asks government to consider augmentation of resources in view of experts claiming that peak of the present wave was yet to be reached.

. Mr Mehta states government is conscious of this : Court

. GNCTD should also look at this aspect : Court

. What is the central and State government of Delhi looking at. We should know what steps are being taken for augmentation for Delhi: Court

. Two tankers have already reached Delhi.

. They will reach others also, just contact the Nodal Officer: SG Mehta

. Maharaja Agrasen seeks police cover.

. Others also seek oxygen. They will do. We have passed the orders yesterday: Court

. Let authorities address the demands of oxygen: Dutta

. Any quantity that is available be provided so that we tide over.. life is very precious. Even doctors won't be able to help : Batra Hospital

. We will be losing more lives : Jaipur Golden

. We have 40 mins of backup left. Nodal officer is not answering the phone : Saroj Super Speciality

. They are working: Court

. What does he do (when there is no oxygen) : Court

. Requirements have been taken note of by Mr Mehra and Satyakam: Court

. Court says their demand will be considered when oxygen is received during the course of the day.

. Court says there is a chart of suppliers.

. We have 500 beds. We can't go to re filling centres: Batra Hospital

. We are not in the position to direct.. we are trying to do what we can. It's not that Delhi govt has oxygen. We are also concerned about the lives : Court

. In case any security arrangements are required, Delhi police shall provide the same : Court

. Let us not divert police staff. Let them consider the same : SG Mehta

. We know how people react.. let's not have a law and order situation: Court

. Let's not presume things. Micro managing may not be advisable. Police dept is cognizant: SG Mehta

. That's what we've said : Court

. Court proceeds to adjourn the matter.

. Mehra raises issues again.

Everyone is aware of it. Why take such passionate pleas for headlines.

SG Mehta says position is such because of Delhi govt's incompetence.

This is not for this fourm : Court

Delhi High Court hears another plea on Oxygen Shortage by Maharaja Agrasen Hospital [LIVE UPDATES]

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