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Watch: Tripura District Magistrate raids wedding, thrashes guests, beats up Purohit, grabs groom by collar

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Watch: Tripura District Magistrate raids wedding, thrashes guests, beats up Purohit, grabs groom by collar

In a brazen display of highhandedness, Tripura West District Magistrate (DM) Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav on Monday was seen dragging a groom and a priest by their collar, thrashing the guests, while ordering the police to arrest them all for violating COVID-19 norms. The incident reportedly happened at around 11 pm at Manikya Court in Palace Compound, North Gate area in Agartala, Tripura.

In a video that went viral on social media, Yadav enters a hall where a wedding ceremony was underway. Yadav in a firm voice orders attendees to vacate the hall. “Chalo bahar niklo”, says the West DM Yadav and the state police officials accompanying him threaten the guests to leave or face consequences.

The DM then reaches that mandap (canopy) area where the wedding ceremony was being carried out. Yadav reprimands the groom and the bride’s family for violating the COVID-19 protocols. He then pulls the groom by his collar, thrashes the priest and orders police officials to arrest them all.

Yadav is so infuriated that he refuses to listen to any explanation given to him by the groom or the bride’s side of the family. When a lady requests the DM to see the documents in which they have been granted permission to conduct the wedding, the angry DM tells her that the permission was given to conduct the marriage but not beyond 10 pm. “You’ll are educated people…ok”, says the DM while tearing the documents the lady tries to produce before him.

Speaking to the media, Yadav said that all the people assembled at the wedding hall had violated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC and would be prosecuted under Section 188 of the IPC.

Following the incident, Shailesh Kumar Yadav ordered the closure of two marriage halls in Agartala, for flouting COVID-10 norms, for 1 year and the suspension of the Officer-in-Charge of the West Agartala police station for being hand in gloves with the flouters.

“From tomorrow, Manikya Court and Gulab Bagan are banned. They will not be able to function for one year. I will also recommend the suspension of the Officer-in-Charge of the West Agartala police station for not acting on repeated complaints of people, and I, as a district magistrate, have to come here. He is hand in gloves with these people, and departmental proceedings should be taken against him,” Yadav said.

“Such an incident, people should take this as an example. Unfortunately, these are the educated, rich people, they are behaving like this. What about the people who are not educated. You can make out what is the level of responsibility in our population,” Yadav added.

There also videos available where the DM is seen order people dining at the feast to get off their seats midway through the dinner.

A person who appears to be the purohit was thrashed as well.

Meanwhile, the bride’s brother Subhrajit Deb has taken to Facebook to condemn the District Magistrate’s highhandedness. Deb informed that the wedding was being carried out after attaining all due permissions from the District Magistrate’s office itself.

Sharing pictures of the documents where permission to carry out the ceremony was granted by the Tripura West DM’s office itself, Deb confirmed that Yadav’s office had, in fact, granted them 4 vehicle passes so that they could move around smoothly (if required) during the ceremony. He writes that all these documents were signed by the DM himself.

Deb furthered that keeping the COVID-19 protocol in mind, they had gathered not more than 25-30 close relatives for the wedding.

Sharing all the documents, Deb questioned the Tripura West DM that if all the permissions were granted by him then why were they not allowed to conduct the ceremony?

Document of permission granted to the bride’s family by the DM’s office

“Is it illegal to follow hindu marriage act in my state? Should we not follow the auspicious time (logno)? If we are educated fools sir, then its also uneducated behavior using un parliamentary language infront of a crowd! Its also inhuman to arrest kids and women at 1 am and taking them to police station when kids of 9 yrs age are crying!”, wrote Deb.

“Sir, we EDUCATED FOOLS request you not to fool simple people like us and harass at midnight even after issuance of orders from office,” furthered the bride’s antagonized brother in his Facebook post.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Pratima Bhowmik apologised to everyone because of the incident. She said that she was deeply hurt by the incident as well. Pradyot Manikya has demanded an investigation into the matter.

UK variant of COVID-19 more prevalent in Punjab and other northern states: Report

OpIndia Staff
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UK variant of COVID-19 more prevalent in Punjab and other northern states: Report

The UK strain of the coronavirus, which is markedly more virulent, is more prevalent in several northern states, including Punjab, the genome sequencing data from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reveals. Two scientists from central government labs asserted that large gatherings in Punjab were responsible for the widespread transmission of the variant in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, said a report published in The Hindu.

The scientists claimed that farmers protests were one of the “super spreader” events that may have contributed to the amplified spread of the B.1.1.7 variant, popularly known as the UK variant.

“Punjab played a key role in the rise of cases related to the B.1.1.7 variant. There were at least four major clusters (super spreader events), marriages, farmer protests from February 1 to February 28, that are responsible for large spikes. By March, Delhi was warned about a possible 15,000 critical cases,” said Dr Sujeet Singh, who is a director at NCDC.

The NCDC is tasked with carrying out the genome sequencing data from the Indian Sars COV-2 Genome Consortium (INSACOG) — a team of 10 labs across India that is accumulating a small amount of COVID-19 positive samples from international travelers, their contacts as well from the local communities to check for patterns in mutations, especially known variants of concern (VoC) such as the UK variant, the South African variant (B.1.1.35) and the Brazil variant (P.1).

The NCDC has so far sequenced 15,000 samples of India’s caseloads, out of which 1,757 samples from the northern states reflected that the percentage of the UK variant was significantly higher than those isolated from international travelers and their contacts. The UK variant was found in 1,666 of the 1,757 samples genome sequenced by the NCDC.

Considering Punjab, there were eight instances of the UK strain found among international travellers and their contacts but 543 in the wider community. In Delhi, there were 91 instances of the UK strain among the international travellers against 323 in the wider community. In Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, there were no reported variants in those with international travel history, but 26 and 23 cases in the local community were still found to have the UK strain.

However, the same pattern doesn’t hold in the central and southern states of India. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where there are large COVID-19 caseloads, there were more instances of the UK variant in the travellers and their contacts than in the wider community. In Maharashtra, the ratio was 35: 29; in Kerala, it’s 15:1, and in Tamil Nadu, 14:1. These instances were in stark contrast to the situation in northern states.

Dr Anurag Agrawal, who serves as a Director at CSIR-IGIB, noted that the UK variant was imported in Delhi and Punjab because of the presence of the international airport and “significant amplifying events” in Punjab, which also contributed to spreading the strain to Delhi.

“It could have been maha panchayat, the farmer gatherings in Delhi, weddings. The only way to establish this is to check with donors of all these samples if they were present at protests,” he said.

The UK variant is amongst the most contagious strains of the coronavirus and is competing against the Indian variant (B.1.617). In the UK too, when the variant was first discovered, it was distinguished by increased instances of breathlessness and demand for oxygenation. This variant spreads more easily and quickly with 30-50% enhanced transmissibility than the original Chinese coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan.

NRI Belt of Punjab and the ‘farmers’ protests contributed to the spread of the more virulent UK coronavirus strain?

Earlier in March, it was reported that over 80% of cases in Punjab were due to the UK variant of the Chinese coronavirus. As per reports, the UK strain was first found mostly amongst the NRIs who had returned from the UK. As per reports, in March Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar accounted for nearly 26 per cent of all COVID cases in Punjab. Punjab’s Doaba region comprising of these two districts contributed to 25.6% of all COVID related deaths on March 19. On April 5, it accounted for about 28% of COVID deaths in Punjab.

Doaba is also known as the ‘NRI belt’. It is also pertinent to note that ‘farmers’ from the Doaba region had continued their march towards Delhi for the protests. Perhaps, the protests and other super spreader events in Punjab may have contributed to the transmission of the UK strain in Singhu and other border areas of Delhi, from where they ultimately reached Delhi. 

‘Pull Up Your Socks, Get your house in order, enough is enough’: Delhi High Court pulls up Delhi Government

OpIndia Staff
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‘Pull Up Your Socks, Get your house in order, enough is enough’: Delhi High Court pulls up Delhi Government

On April 27, Delhi High Court continued the day-to-day hearing of Covid-19 management in the national capital. During the hearing, when the High Court came to know that Seth Air has been holding 20 tons of Oxygen, the Bench criticized Delhi Government for mismanagement. The Court said, “Pull Up Your Socks, Get your house in order. Enough is enough. If you cannot do it, tell us, we will ask the Central Government to take over. People are dying!”

Amidst rising cases of Covid-19 infection in the national capital, the Delhi High Court is conducting day-to-day hearing of multiple PILs regarding the supply of drugs and Oxygen in the state. On Monday, the Bench comprising of Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli had asked the Delhi Government to hold a meeting with all stakeholders and submit a report on the plan to ensure a smooth supply of Oxygen.

In its submission, Delhi Government said that it had conducted a marathon meeting with the stakeholders. Chief Secretary, Delhi Government, said that they had sought data from the stakeholders about the supply, existing contracts and demand of the life-saving gas.

Most of the data has been received by the Government, and by evening they will be able to pass an order to streamline the supply. CS further added that there would be a dedicated helpline number for the hospitals where they can contact in case of grievance. “The suppliers have to honour the existing orders,” said CS.

Hospitals approached High Court amidst lack of Oxygen

During the hearing, counsels of several hospitals made submissions as they were running out of Oxygen. Advocate Maninder Singh appearing for Shanti Mukund Hospital said that they had attended the meeting, and their allocation was reduced. Singh added that if a patient needs a certain amount of Oxygen, it has to be arranged. The Court directed the Delhi Government to immediately send 2.69 tons of Oxygen to the hospital that was allocated to them. When Advocate Mehra appearing for Delhi Government apologized for the delay, Singh said, “Apologising will not save lives.”

Advocate Sachin Puri appearing for Venkateshwara Hospital, informed the Court that they were about to run out of Oxygen. The Court noted that multiple complaints had been received, and they cannot be all wrong. “There have been repeated complaints of calls and messages not being answered,” the Court said. Adv Mehra assured supply would reach in the course of the hearing.

Advocate Ajay Kohli appearing for Delhi Heart and Lungs Institute told the Court that they have Oxygen left for two hours. The hospital was catering to 100 patients on Oxygen. The Court directed the Delhi government officials to take the necessary steps to ensure supply immediately.

The supply chain is getting streamlined, Delhi government claimed

As per the submissions made by Advocate Mehra, the supply chain is being streamlined in the national capital. Jindal Industries have provided 3-4 tankers. Five tankers were allocated by the central Government for Delhi. Linde also arranged four tankers. The Delhi government has requested the Central Government for support in airlifting tankers from Bangkok, to which the Home Ministry has agreed to. So far, the Delhi Government has 13 additional tankers at its disposal.

Black marketing is a major issue, Court noted

The Court noted during the hearing that black marketing of oxygen cylinders is a major issue that the Government must solve. Justice Palli said, “It’s the biggest problem that individuals are facing.” The Court was informed that some individual suppliers did not attend the April 26 meeting. The Court directed the Government of Delhi to take over the plants of the suppliers who fail comply to with their orders.

When the Court asked about those who want to get their cylinders refilled at home, Advocate Mehra stated that there is a shortage of cylinders. When Justice Palli asked the hospitals are saying they have empty cylinders, but they were unable to get them refilled, Mehra said the statement is incorrect. He said he and Advocate Satyakam have been answering the SOS calls themselves that irked the Court. The Bench told them it is not their job to handle the SOS calls.

The Bench told the Delhi Government to curb black marketing as there have been reports that cylinders are being sold for lakhs. “We will direct you then to take over their plants. Keep them in custody if they are playing with people’s lives like that,” the Court said.

‘You passed the order as a window dress’, said the Delhi Court

Advocate Aggarwal brought the order by the Delhi Government to the notice of the Court that states all hospitals must attend the patients within 10 minutes. He said when the hospital is running at full capacity, how it can follow such an order. “These orders cannot be issued in a general manner,” he said.

After checking the photographs of overwhelmed emergencies of the hospitals, the Court asked the Delhi government the intention behind the order. Mehra replied that it was just an advisory and not an order. The Court refused to accept the argument and said that such orders paint a bad picture of the hospitals. The Court also asserted that if the objective was just to do the paperwork, there was no need to pass such orders.

The Bench said, “That’s what we have been saying. If there is negligent behaviour by any hospitals, you pass orders. But passing these orders generally? This proceeds on the assumption that without this order, hospitals are not doing their job.” The Court added that such orders put additional pressure on the already overwhelmed healthcare system.

“It seems like this paperwork, just window dress, which has been done to satisfy patients and attendants that look we’ve issued the order. You are not looking at the other side, the hospitals and workers. And have your own Delhi govt hospitals been able to achieve this?” the Court said.

‘There is something fishy with your order’, said Court to Delhi Government

Arora, the owner of Multan, a company that refills oxygen cylinders, told the Court that he was asked to fulfil the requirement of the hospitals. However, he was getting continuous SOS calls. He asked the Court how to manage. When the Court asked Delhi Government about the system in place for the supply, Advocate Mehra informed the Court that a system is being set up to plan the supply to the hospitals.

The Court was informed by Seth Air that the company had 20 tons of Oxygen. The owner stated that he was asked to supply Oxygen to four hospitals only though he used to supply to 80 hospitals. He added when he asked the Government that he had received an SOS call and if he should honour the call or provide Oxygen to only four allotted hospitals, the Delhi Government asked him to manage others too.

The Court turned towards Mehra and asked them why Seth Air has not been informed properly about the supply. Udit Rai appearing for Delhi Government, said that Seth Air was lying.

The Court said, “Every time we have told him, all commitments he has with hospitals are to be honoured. He has already received 20 tonnes and will get 16 more today.” The Court asked if the Government had given Seth Air a free hand to run the course of oxygen supply on its own.

Seth told the Court he did not supply Oxygen to Maharaja Agrasen Hospital as they said they did not need any oxygen. The Court got furious and said, “I’ll take you in custody right now. You think we don’t understand what’s happening here. “Aap hame bevkoof samajhte hai”? Their patients are dying!” The Bench asserted that Seth had made a false statement that Agresen Hospital was procuring Oxygen from another source.

The Court directed GNCTD to take note and take over their unit. The Bench further directed Seth to not cause any obstruction in running of the plant under the management of officers of GNCTD. The Court added, “Seth appears to be a rather big supplier. He wasn’t part of your order?! There seems to be something fishy. This cannot be just overlooked!”

The Court further told Delhi Government, “Get your house in order. Enough is enough. If you can’t do it, tell us, we will ask the Central govt to take over. People are dying! From hearing today, it’s clear to us that GNCTD has to pull up its socks for the aspect of distribution of liquid Oxygen to larger hospitals but also cylinders used in smaller hospitals.”

When Mehra asked the Court to reconsider the phrase ‘Delhi govt needs to pull its socks’ and replace it with “needs to things more transparent, the Court denied and said, “This one man had 20 tonnes of Oxygen! And he isn’t even in your order? We are really alarmed by the situation that we have discovered today! If we look back when SG Mehta said there is availability, We did not believe it then!”

The hearing will continue tomorrow.

Despite not wearing a mask herself, transgender Congress councillor thrashes two Hindu Sadhus: Watch

OpIndia Staff
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Despite not wearing a mask herself, transgender Congress councillor thrashes two Hindu Sadhus: Watch

On Tuesday (April 27) morning, a Congress councilor was seen thrashing two Hindu Sadhus in the Pilibanga area in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.

As per reports, the accused has been identified as one Poonam Mahant. She is the councillor of ward number 35 and was elected on a Congress ticket in January this year. In a video that has now gone viral, the transgender Congress councillor was seen slapping two Hindu saints and shoving them in one corner. She then inquired, “Where are your masks in the time of the Coronavirus pandemic?” It must be mentioned that the accused herself did not have a mask or face covering.

Intimidated by the possibility of physical harm, one of the sadhus pointed towards a piece of cloth around his neck (suggesting that it was his mask). “Where is your mask?” she threatened after seizing the stick from one of the Sadhus. “Put the mask on,” she ordered and proceeded to hit a Sadhu with the stick in her hand. In her defence, she has claimed that she stopped the Sadhus only because they were roaming around without a mask.

Following social media backlash, the accused Congress worker tried to do ‘damage control.’ In another video made viral by the accused, one of the Sadhus was seen approaching the house of the councillor. The ‘transgender’ then stepped out of her house and directed him to a signboard. “Please wear a mask”, she was heard as saying. Poonam Mahant was then seen handing out a mask to the Sadhu and urging him to take care of himself amidst the Coronavirus crisis.

Despite her best attempt to deflect social media backlash and portray herself as a genuine political leader, netizens were not convinced by her act.

Registration for COVID-19 vaccination for people above 18 to start from 4 PM on April 28

OpIndia Staff
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Registration for COVID-19 vaccination for people above 18 to start from 4 PM on April 28

The fourth phase of India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive will start taking registrations from 4 PM on April 28. In the fourth phase of the vaccination drive, everyone from 18 and above stands eligible to get the vaccine. People eligible for the vaccination can register themselves on the CoWin platform.

A few days back, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has informed via a tweet that the registration for citizens above 18 years of age will open on the Cowin platform on April 28. Citizens will be able to register themselves for vaccination on Aarogya Setu app, UMANG app and COWIN platforms.

On April 19, the government of India has announced that anyone from 18 years to 45 years of age can get the Covid-19 vaccine in phase three of the Largest Vaccination Drive in the world. The government allowed the vaccine manufacturers to supply 50% of the products directly to state and private players. Notably, the union government will provide vaccines only to those who are above 45 years of age. Those who are between 18-45 years of age will get the vaccination from their respective states or private players.

Note: Earlier report said that the registration opened at midnight on April 28, 2021 based on the information prevalent at that time. However, as per latest information, the registration will begin at 4 PM on April 28, 2021.

‘India has always been a second home for me’: Former Australian pacer Brett Lee donates 1 Bitcoin, or Rs 41 lac, for oxygen supplies

OpIndia Staff
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‘India has always been a second home for me’: Former Australian pacer Brett Lee donates 1 Bitcoin, or Rs 41 lac, for oxygen supplies

Inspired by the humble gesture shown by Kolkata Knight Riders’ Australian pacer Pat Cummins, the former Australian pacer Brett Lee has also donated 1 Bitcoin, which is worth around Rs 41 lakh (on 27th April, 7:10 PM IST), to Crypto Relief to help purchase oxygen in hospitals across India as the country continues to battle with the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The Australian legendry cricketer took to his official Twitter handle to inform about his decision and thanked Cummins for starting the initiative. 

“India has always been like a second home for me. The love and affection that I have got from the people of this country both during my professional career and even after my retirement, holds a special place in my heart. It saddens me deeply to see people suffering due to the ongoing pandemic,” Lee wrote in a tweet.

“I feel privileged to be in a position of making a difference and with that in mind, I’d like to donate 1 BTC (Bitcoin) to Crypto Relief to help with the purchase of oxygen supplies for the hospitals across India,” he added.

Though not going down well with the assorted gang of ‘liberals’, Cummins became the first overseas cricketer to start the initiative by donating USD 50,000 towards the PM CARES Fund. He had urged others to come forward and help India in the battle against the deadly pathogen which has been wreaking havoc across the country.

Agra: Septicemia patient Irfan’s rumoured death triggers anger, relatives vandalise hospital, assault nurse

OpIndia Staff
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Agra: Septicemia patient Irfan’s rumoured death triggers anger, relatives vandalise hospital, assault nurse

Relatives and family members of a patient named Irfan have ransacked the Lotus Hospital in the Hari Parvat police station area in Agra, Uttar Pradesh and have assaulted staff members too, over a rumour about Irfan’s death. The video of the violence went viral on social media.

In the video, a violent mob, reportedly Irfan’s relatives, is seen vandalising the hospital and brutally attacking a female nurse.

A woman hospital staff, who intervened, was also mercilessly attacked by a group of angry relatives. She was dragged and brutally attacked with a pedestal fan, a helmet and rods. Multiple men were seen assaulting the nurse. The nurse fell unconscious on the floor after she failed to protect herself from the rampaging mob.

Following the incident, Agra Police took to its official Twitter handle to inform about the same. SP City Rohan P Botre informed that the incident happened after rumours of the death of a patient named Irfan spread.

Botre informed that Irfan was admitted to Lotus Hospital as he was suffering from Septicemia disease. After the news of his death spread, his family and relatives started vandalising the hospital’s property and also assaulted the hospital staff. The family members alleged negligence.

For the uninitiated, Septicemia, or sepsis, is the clinical name for blood poisoning by bacteria. Sepsis involves the immune system responding dramatically to an infection. This response can damage organs and become life-threatening in most cases.

Meanwhile, SP City Rohan P Botre informed that a probe has been launched in the matter under IPC sections 147, 307 and other relevant sections. He assured that efforts were bein made the nab the accused.

EC sab record karti hai: TMC’s Anubrata Mondal to be kept under surveillance, yet again

OpIndia Staff
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EC sab record karti hai: TMC’s Anubrata Mondal to be kept under surveillance, yet again

The Election Commission of India (EC) Tuesday issued orders to keep Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal under the strict surveillance of the executive magistrate and CAPF from 5 pm on April 27 till 7 am on April 30 to ensure free and fair polling.

The decision was taken after the chief electoral officer received “several complaints against Mondal”, an official privy to the development said.

“In view of the feedback received from various sources and as per the report of the DEO and SP, Birbhum, the commission has directed that Mondal, District President of AITC, Birbhum, be kept under the strict surveillance of the executive magistrate and CAPF for ensuring free and fair elections,” the letter to Chief electoral officer of West Bengal said.

In addition, during this period, videography would be conducted “with date and stamping”.

Birbhum is slated to go for polls in the eighth and final phase of the assembly elections on Thursday.

This is not the first time that Anubrata Mondal has been kept under surveillance during the election polls in West Bengal. Due to his troubled history, Mondal was placed under similar surveillance during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2016 assembly polls.

Anubrata Mondal has a history of being kept under surveillance by the Election Commission

Mondal was kept under surveillance during the 2019 General elections after the representatives of the poll workers expressed fear of the leader and said they would feel threatened if the TMC Birbhum district president keeps moving from one booth to the other on the polling day.

In 2016 too, during the West Bengal Assembly polls, Anubrata Mondal had been put under 24-hour surveillance by the Election Commission.

In July 2013, he had asked his supporters at a public meeting in Birbhum to hurl bombs at the police and burn down houses of rebel TMC candidates in panchayat elections.

In September 2018, he was caught on camera allegedly instructing TMC workers to get a party rebel and a woman BJP leader arrested on a false case of possessing cannabis.

In April 2019, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal made an appeal to the Election Commission (EC) officials to let him rig the polls and allow his people to “manage” 500-600 votes per booth.

Delhi HC makes startling revelations, says they never requested for rooms at 5-star hotel, hint at ‘appeasement’ by AAP Govt: Read what they said

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC makes startling revelations, says they never requested for rooms at 5-star hotel, hint at ‘appeasement’ by AAP Govt: Read what they said

The Delhi High Court has slammed the Delhi Government over its order to reserve a hundred rooms at a five star hotel for the Judiciary for Covid-19 treatment. The AAP Government in Delhi had claimed that the order was passed at the request of the High Court. The Court has denied that it ever made such a request.

“We have not made any such request that you set it up at this hotel or that hotel. Purpose of the meeting was that the judiciary specially subordinate courts.. We’ve already lost to two judicial officers,” the Delhi High Court said.

Delhi High Court slams AAP Government
Source: Bar & Bench/Twitter

“All that we wanted was in case they need hospitalisation, that facility should be given. It has translated into this order,” it added. Shockingly enough, the Delhi High Court asked senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi Government, whether the intention was to ‘appease’ them.

“You are passing orders left right and centre without meaning to do anything about it.. We have not even asked for it. That hospital has no manpower, no equipment, no ventilator, no medicines,” the Court said. “What is the protection? That …it is to benefit ourselves or that you have done to appease us,” it added.

Delhi High Court slams AAP Government
Source: Bar & Bench/Twitter

Mehra blamed the media instead and claimed that the media was playing a “mischievous role”. But the Court said it was not the media which said that but the order itself. “Can we as an institution say that you create a facility for us.. such and such beds for us. Would it not be patently discriminatory?”

“Media is not wrong, order is wrong,” the Court observed.

It was reported in the media late on Monday initially and subsequently covered widely since then that a hundred rooms had been reserved for judges and judicial officers of the court and their families for a Covid health center at the Ashoka Hotel, a five star facility.

The news had gathered much outrage and was criticised heavily across the board. It was reported that the Delhi Government had passed the order following a request by the Delhi High Court. The Court said today that they never made such a request as the order implied.

For the past few days, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government has been regularly slammed at the High Court for its gross mismanagement of the medical oxygen supply, leading to an oxygen crisis.

Congress MP wants PM Modi to allow oxygen corridor with Pakistan to tackle COVID-19 crisis in Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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Congress MP wants PM Modi to allow oxygen corridor with Pakistan to tackle COVID-19 crisis in Punjab

On Monday (April 26), Punjab Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla sparked a controversy after he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open an ‘oxygen corridor’ with Pakistan. As of Tuesday, the State has recorded 49894 active cases and a total of 8,530 fatalities.

In a letter to PM Modi, he talked about the ‘shortage’ of ventilators, oxygenators, PPE kits, liquid oxygen in hospitals caused due by a drastic increase in Coronavirus cases. “In response to this emergency, our neighbouring countries have offered help which should be welcomed with open arms. The government of Pakistan and Edhi Foundation has offered to provide relief support to India to help us fight this deadly wave of Covid-19,” the Congress MP added.

Gurjeet Singh Aujla said that the daily oxygen requirement in his constituency of Amritsar is 30 tonnes. He claimed that the allotted oxygen supply for Punjab is ‘too less’ with a ‘feeble supply’ line. He argued that the nearest oxygen plant is 350 km away in Panipat in Haryana whereas Lahore in Pakistan is just 50 km away. “Amritsar is presently receiving oxygen supplies from Panipat in truck-tankers which is not a reliable system of uninterrupted supply as there are not enough and spare truck tankers available to cover for breakdowns,” he added.

“The oxygen reserves at Amritsar have already been exhausted and we are on the mercy of this unreliable chain tankers. Accessing the present state and forthcoming spike in this wave; I implore your good self to consider accepting all the help needed from our neighbours as you yourself had offered in the past in form of vaccination and make arrangements for the purchase & transportation of oxygen from Pakistan via the land route of Attari Wagha border post,” he emphasised.

Gurjeet Singh Aujla claimed that such an ‘oxygen corridor’ with Pakistan will reduce pressure on Indian oxygen plants, ease the transport system and reduce the distress caused due to the ongoing ‘oxygen crisis.’ To further justify his suggestion of importing medical oxygen from Pakistan, the Congress MP claimed that the oxygen can then be supplied at a fast pace to other parts of Punjab such as Pathankot, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, and other districts.

“I am aware of the political and diplomatic state of affairs but at the times of such pandemics and calamities all the nations must join hands and share resources to defeat this common enemy,” he continued. Lastly, the Congress MP concluded that just like the inauguration of ‘Kartarpur Sahib Corridor’ on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the development of the oxygen corridor with Pakistan will be a great gift to humanity.

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