New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought the Centre and city government's response within a week on a plea seeking a thorough check-up of people arriving from the most swine flu-affected states at the airports and the railway stations here.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Health and Family Welfare Department of the Delhi government, the LG and the municipal corporations to take instruction on the issue raised by the petitioner.
"Take instruction on this issue and respond before March 18," the court said.
The court's order came during hearing of an application filed by petitioner Leena Tuteja, who has sought directions to put up hoardings at all public places and at all prominent places of Delhi informing people about the disease.
Tuteja has already filed a PIL seeking directions to make tests available at an affordable cost in the national capital.
The Centre had informed the court that three government labs were performing swine flu tests free of cost and adequate measures have been taken to mitigate the impact of the disease.
The court has now fixed the application to be heard along with the PIL on March 18.
The petition said that the government has catered to only states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.
"However, Delhi State has been completely left out and no assistance had been provided to the national capital. The government is required to clarify its stand on what steps it has taken with respect to NCR and Delhi," the petitioner's advocate Gaurav Bahl said.
"The passengers arriving at Delhi airports from the hugely affected states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telengana, Jammu and Kashmir should be thoroughly checked both at Domestic and International Airport and be provided N-95 masks free of cost," the plea said, adding that "the railway stations be also advised to ensure thorough checks".
The petitioner alleged that even though the court has directed the authorities concerned to publish information with regard to swine flu and steps to be taken for prevention, they have failed to comply with the order.
The links on the Ministry's website state that medicines are available at various hospitals and medical stores, but when accessed, it is observed there is no reference to the state of Delhi or the chemists here with whom the medicines are available, the counsel alleged.
As per another link on the website, it is observed that only 19 laboratories are available for testing influenza, he said.
"The entire society of Delhi shall suffer an irreparable loss if the inactions of the respondents are not put at rest and the respondents are allowed to continue with their illegal actions," the application said.
