Don't want oxygen at cost of others but explain how are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra getting more than demand: Delhi High Court to Centre

While clarifying that it was not seeking more oxygen for the national capital at the cost of other States, the Delhi High Court today asked the Central government to explain how States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were getting more than their demand. (Rakesh Malhotra vs GNCTD).In view of the submissions by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra for Delhi government and the Amicus Curiae, Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, a Division Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli noted that while the projected demand of Delhi was 700MT per day, its allocation was only 480-490 MT per day. .At the same time, as opposed to the demands of Madhya Pradesh's 445MT and Maharashtra's 1500 MT, the allocation was 543 MT and 1661 MT, respectively, the Court recorded. ."We make it clear that by no means are we interested in securing for Delhi oxygen more than what is required and that too at the cost of any State or UT. However, if submissions of Mehra and Amicus are accepted, it would appear that centre needs to explain this aspect.", the Court observed. ."Point is.. projected demand for Delhi was 700. You gave 480. It doesn't appear to be falling in line.", the Court remarked as it stated that it "cannot accept" Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submission that the incoming quantity of 340-370 MT to Delhi was "sufficient". .SG Mehta urged the Court to not get into pan-India allocation or "comparison", or "create panic" and argued,"System is working. It is a dynamic situation. Court may consider trusting the system..Kitty is being rationalised.".The Court, however, remarked that panic was not on account of what was being said in court but what was happening on the ground. .Speaking to one of the Central government officers, the Court added, "We've already had loss of lives in Delhi due to oxygen. You may have to look at it (allocation).. it has fallen on you to resolve it.".During the course of the hearing, as SG Mehta asked the officer to "cut from MP and give it to Delhi" even "at the lives of some in MP", the Court strongly responded,."Don't project it like this. We don't appreciate. Let's not get emotional about it. These are facts and figures. You have to meet this head-on. You can't duck it.".Solicitor General said that he would file an affidavit on the issue of allocation. .The Court clarified that it would base its findings on Centre's affidavit and arguments advanced before it. .Delhi government also sought that "some responsibility" be fixed on the Centre with respect to supply of oxygen in the wake of its efforts to augment beds to deal with the surge which is expected around May 15. ."There is complete apathy for citizens of Delhi. Court will now have to pass an order.. no more of this should continue..If court would now direct them to provide us 1K MT otherwise we will just keep adding paper orders.. the beds will not have the only life-saving drug for COVID, oxygen:", Senior Advocate Mehra argued. .The matter would be heard tomorrow. .Read complete account of the hearing below:.[COVID-19 Crisis in Delhi] You have to meet oxygen demand head-on, can't duck it: Delhi High Court tells Centre [LIVE UPDATES].Read the order: