Any overzealous, though well-meaning, judicial intervention may lead to unforeseen and unin-tended consequences...” This was part of the Centre’s recent submission to the Supreme Court when it was asked about the differential vaccination policy across age groups in the country. As the second wave of the pandemic raged across India, and caught the executive with its pants down, the judiciary stepped into the vacuum. The apex court and several High Courts have been passing orders to ensure better management of the pandemic. Whether it is vaccination or bed allocation, availability of oxygen or the drug tocilizumab, some judge has passed a stricture, told an authority to “beg, borrow, steal” or pulled up those incharge for contempt.
Here is a sampling of what has been happening across virtual courtrooms over the past few weeks: The Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to fix a “minimum” ex gratia of ₹1 crore for every official who succumbed to the pandemic because of panchayat election duty; the ₹30 lakh the state government had announced was too little. The Kerala High Court ordered a ceiling on charges in private hospitals for Covid-19 treatment. The Delhi High Court has been almost micromanaging pandemic management, fixing oxygen quota and distribution. It even issued a contempt notice to the Centre on the oxygen issue, which the Supreme Court dismissed. The Uttarakhand High Court pulled up the state government for allowing the Kumbh Mela to go ahead against scientific advice, and then, for not following standard operating procedures.
The mountain of public interest litigations also points to administrative lapses at the government level, leading to injustices, said Ranbir Singh, former vice chancellor of the National Law University.
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 23, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 23, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state