CM accepts lawyers’ demand for hospital on HC campus

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accepted the proposal of lawyers of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court to set up a Covid hospital on high court campus in Lucknow.

The chief minister sought a formal proposal for the hospital during his visit to the campus on Tuesday. He also inspected existing three clinics on the premises and ongoing Covid vaccination camp there.

Insisting that the state government was making serious efforts to get all the targeted age groups vaccinated at the earliest, the chief minister said the vaccination should be carried out with zero wastage and only those who are to be vaccinated should be called to the vaccination centres.

Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi of Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court was present at the HC vaccination centre. “On chief minister’s query, I apprised him that there is lot of space in the high court which can be utilised to set up Covid hospital. The CM has accepted the proposal and has asked to send a proposal to the government in this regard,” said Vinod Shahi, additional advocate general.

The high court administration will now send a proposal to the government in this regard, Shahi said. The Awadh Bar Association of the Lucknow high court had also written to the state government to set up a Covid hospital on the campus.

The Bar Association had requested the government to use newly constructed lawyers’ chambers in D, E and F block, multilevel parking and auditorium on the high court campus for the purpose.

Around 10,000 lawyers are practicing in Lucknow, which includes clerical staff in district court and high court.

“A Covid hospital on court campus will be of great help for lawyers and their family members,” said HGS Parihar, president, Awadh Bar Association.

Sharad Pathak, general secretary of the Awadh Bar Association, said that along with parking space, the court’s auditorium could be used to set up a Covid care facility.

“In this pandemic, a large number of lawyers have died across the state. We have also requested the government for financial assistance for their family members,” said Pathak.

Earlier, the CM also visited the information department’s office to review ongoing vaccination at a special camp set up for journalists and their family members . Speaking to those getting vaccinated, Yogi said the union government had made arrangements for free vaccination of all persons who are 45 years or above.

For those in 18–45-year age group, the state government was arranging free vaccination from its resources, the CM said.