Orissa High Court: A Division Bench of S Muralidhar, CJ and Savitri Ratho, J., directed State to file an affidavit addressing concerns raised in the instant PIL.
The instant Public Interest Litigation was filed concerning numerous issues related to COVID-19 care and treatment and urgent directions were sought regarding the availability of RTPCR testing facilities at the rural and block levels throughout the State of Odisha.
Counsel for petitioners submitted that the existing facilities for testing are inadequate and with the suspension of public transport, there is considerable delay in samples being collected at the block levels and being sent to the District Headquarters for testing and for the results to be obtained. He also points out that isolation centers and ambulance services are not available in rural areas for critical patients.
The Court directed the State-Opposite Parties to file, by the next date i.e. 20th July, an affidavit of the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha addressing the specific issues highlighted in the writ petition.
The matter is next posted on 20-07-2021.[Sanjiv Joshi v. State of Odisha, WP (C) No.18607 of 2021, decided on 06-07-2021]
Arunima Bose, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.
Appearances:
For petitioner: Mr S. Pattjoshi and Mr S.K. Nanda
For respondent: Mr M.S. Sahoo
