Supreme Court today declines to hear a plea seeking directions to Government to relax or reduce charges of non-COVID-19 related treatment to safeguard ‘right to life’ of every citizen, during the period of lockdown imposed to contain Novel Coronavirus outbreak.
A three Judges bench headed by the Justice N. V. Ramana dismissed the PIL filed by Kolkata based advocate Sourjya Das seeking directions to Centre, all State Government and Union Territories to take immediate steps to reduce Non-COVID related healthcare treatment services at all public hospitals.
PIL contended numerous members of the public, including self-employed, businessmen and professionals, have suffered loss of livelihood and income due to the lockdown.
“The restrictions imposed on public life by following the COVID-19 outbreak has hampered public life in such a way that the public do not know when things will get back to normal or when offices, shops and usual means of income would resume, thus financially empowering members of the public on a daily basis,” his plea said.
The petitioner sought a direction to grant ad-interim stay in all pending medical bills pending payment by any patient at any public or private hospital or nursing home, at present, till action is taken by the Respondents in compliance with the Orders passed by Apex Court.
Supreme Court observed it is for the Government to decide on this. “Courts don’t have any fund…Don’t create Publicity Interest Litigation,” Said Court.
–India Legal Bureau