SC wants national plan on COVID-19 situation, including on oxygen supply

As the country grapples with the current wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the prevailing grim situation and said it wanted a "national plan" on issues, including supply of oxygen and essential drugs for the treatment of patients infected with the virus. A bench headed by Chief S A Bobde said it would also consider the issue pertaining to the method and manner of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

The bench, also comprising Justices L N Rao and SR Bhat, said it would examine the aspect relating to the power of the high courts to declare lockdown amid the pandemic. The apex court-appointed senior advocate Harish Salve as an amicus curiae to assist it in the suo motu proceedings. The bench issued notice to the Centre and said it would hear the matter on Friday.