Queency Jain–
The Kerala High Court has directed the State Government to speed up the process of fixing the transportation cost of liquid medical oxygen and oxygen inhalation in cylinders.
In furtherance to the direction, the Kerala High Court further asked the Government to ensure that they comply with the order of the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers to fix the price of the medical oxygen.
The direction comes after the Kerala Private Hospitals Association moved the High Court seeking order to prevent the increase in oxygen price.
Earlier, the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers via order dated 25 September, 2020 had fixed the price of Liquid medical oxygen and oxygen inhalation gas, without the inclusion of GST, in cylinders to be Rs. 15.22 and Rs. 25.71 respectively.
The petitioner contended that the State has failed miserably to enforce the order of the Ministry of Chemical and fertilizers thereby putting patients and the hospitals in irreparable hardships.
Though the State contended that without fixing the transportation cost, the said order will be ineffective, it was submitted on the behalf of the petitioner that the increased price fixed by the State will affect the functioning of the hospitals.
In furtherance to this, the State further submitted that they have already formed a committee to look upon this issue and fix the price of transportation from the suppliers and manufacturers to bring in the order in effect more effectively.
Considering that the prices of the oxygen can be fixed only after the transportation cost is fixed, the Court directed the State to expedite their process and abide by the order.
Lastly, the Court listed the matter for hearing after 2 weeks thereby giving appropriate time to the respondents to file a statement of response indicating steps of their compliance with the order.
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