Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: A Division bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice, Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal has issued string of directions while hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking provision of care to dependants (families) of healthcare personnel/Government personnel/officials engaged in COVID-19 management.
The Division Bench took on record the status report dated 1st June 2020 filed by Amit Gupta, AAG on behalf of Social Welfare Department.
The nodal officers at the district level in coordination with the line departments have been providing all kind of necessary help to redress the grievances made by the dependents/family member of COVID-19 warriors the report said.”
The DB ordered that the status report on this issue be brought on record by both the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh before the next date of hearing.
Hearing the petition seeking addressing the issues of Safety, Care, Health and Violence against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments-Need for a legislative framework, the DB noted that a status report dated 27th May 2020 has been filed by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, and the views of the Doctors Association of Kashmir filed through its counsel were taken on record.
The Court also noted that ‘Given the fact that the Government of India is vitally concerned with the issue under consideration, let all reports on this issue also be made available to Vishal Sharma, Additional Solicitor General of India.
In a PIL filed by. Sumit Nayyar, Advocate regarding lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to doctors in Government Hospitals, the DB noted that ‘a status report has been filed by Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department placing before this court the steps taken by the Department for ensuring supply of sufficient quantities of personal protective equipment (PPEs) including goggles, face-shield, masks, gloves, coverall/gowns (with or without aprons), head cover and shoe cover.The report details the stock position even as on 26th May 2020.’
The DB ordered that the Department shall ensure availability of the kits to all the healthcare personnel and disposed of the petition.
While hearing another PIL regarding condition of quarantine centers, the Court directed to file the reply before the next date of hearing on the submission of Amit Gupta, AAG.
The DB also issued directions with regard to the PILs filed (regarding the plight of cattle and stray animals) during the Covid-19 lockdown in both Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Taking on record the reports filed with regard to care of stray cattle and to deal with the problem of stray dogs in all districts filed by Municipal bodies of J&K and Ladakh territories, the Division Bench noted that all authorities are sensitive and cognizant of their responsibilities and extensive measures are being undertaken to ensure the welfare of stray cattle and animals.
The DB maintained that “in case the applicant or any other parties in these proceedings deem additional steps being required to be taken, liberty is given to them to inform the authorities concerned or to move this court for appropriate directions.”
Hearing a PIL regarding labourers without food, the DB, on the submission for seeking time for filing a report, by Amit Gupta, AAG ordered that the same be filed before the next date of hearing.
Hearing a PIL filed by Naveed Bukhtiyar from his residence Garkote, Uri, the Court noted that “the applicant has complained that basic needs of people who are living in far flung areas as Gurez, Tangdhar, Machail, Uri and are not only economically weak but are going through miserable time are not being met. It is stated that these people are in desperate need of basis requirements of survival.
This is very critical issue and the official respondents are bound to ensure that the essentials are made available to every person living in the Union Territory the DB said.”
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