‘Centre’s allocation to Delhi not respected by some states’

The Delhi high court, on Thursday, said the Centre’s allocation of oxygen for Delhi from plants in other states like Haryana was not being respected by the local administration there and it needs to be resolved immediately.

The observation by a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli came after the Delhi government told the court that the oxygen which was to come from Panipat in Haryana was not being allowed to be picked up by the local police there.

The Delhi government also told the court that oxygen which was to be picked up from some units in Uttar Pradesh could also not be lifted from there. With regard to Delhi government’s suggestion to transport oxygen by air, the bench said research by its legal researchers has shown that airlifting of oxygen is very dangerous and it has to be transported either by road or rail.

Solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta told the bench that “if there is any roadblock by any officers, they will be departmentally dealt with.”

He said that if individuals are involved, then protection would be provided to ensure the commitments are met.