The Delhi High Court has asked Centre to consider waiving of Duty on medicine “Amphotericin-B” to treat Black Fungus (Mucomycosis).
The Court has recorded the submissions made by the Counsel for the Centre that it would consider waiving of the import duty on the medicine.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh hearing the plea filed by a man admitted in Gangaram Hospital in dire need of Vials to counter Black Fungus (Mucomycosis), represented by her grand daughter.
The Delhi High Court has directed that if any import is made by any person, the same may be cleared by accepting the bond from the importer without actual payment of duty till a final decision on the said aspect is taken.
During the course of hearing today the Court was informed that there is import duty payable on the medicine Amphotericin-B.
Senior Advocate Krishnan Venugopal stated that the duty is 27% -30 %.
The Court has noted in its order that, “this is one the diseases affecting 1000s all over the country, Centre should seriously consider the waiver of custom and duties on the drug at least for the period it is in short supply in India.”
It further noted that Counsel appearing for the Centre Kirtiman submitted that it would be informed to the Secretary Finance and CBDT and decision would be taken in a couple of days.
“we are hopeful that Centre would look to waive import and other duty on the medicine and we direct if any import is made by any person, the same may be cleared by accepting the bond from the importer without actual payment of duty till a final decision on the said aspect is taken.” Court orders.
“Assurance has also been given to the Court that the customs shall clear all consignment of medicines of black fungus without any delay,” it noted.
The Court is hearing the plea filed by Laieq Ahmad Siddiqui through Iqra Khalid Grand Daughter of the Petitioner who is seeking SOS health care for him.
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The Petitioner is in Gangaram Hospital in dire need of Vials to counter Black Fungus (Mucomycosis). The Hospital is in acute shortage of the same, on last date vials were given by AIIMS to Gangaram Hospital but as informed by the counsel of Gangaram, the allocated vials were exhausted. In the last hearing the bench had directed Gangaram Hospital to place before the court the numbers of Black Fungus case and how they are distributing the doses to the patient.
The Hearing will continue after lunch.