Oxygen Crisis: When Karnataka HC Asked State Govt To Pay Rs 5 Lakh Compensation To Families

Bangalore: On Tuesday, the Central Government had said in the Rajya Sabha that there were no deaths due to lack of oxygen during the second wave of the Covid-19 virus in the states and union territories.

A fact-finding team appointed by the Karnataka High Court has reported that 24 Coronavirus patients died due to lack of oxygen at Chamarajnagar Institute of Medical Sciences (District Hospital) due to lack of oxygen from May 2 to 3 this year.

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High court asked to pay compensation of 5 lakh each

During the hearing in the high court, the state government said that out of 24 deaths, three were due to lack of oxygen, while 10 other deaths occurred after supply was restored. In an order on July 6, the court asked the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to all the 13 families. The court said that the cause of death was a lack of oxygen. However, for the remaining 11 families, the court has decided to wait for the official commission inquiry report.

High Court What was said in the order?

The High Court, in its order dated 6 July, said, “Based on a report submitted by the Commission under the chairmanship of Retired Judge Hon’ble Justice AN Venugopal Gowda, the Court has concluded that on May 2, 2021, from 10.30 pm, Oxygen supply was not available in Chamarajanagar district hospital till 2 pm on May 3, 2021, due to which 24 patients died.

What did government say in Parliament?

Minister of State for Health Bharti Praveen Pawar was asked whether a large number of people have lost their lives on roads and in hospitals due to the non-availability of oxygen during the second wave? Pawar replied that health is a state subject and states and union territories give regular information to the Central Government about the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. However, no state or union territory has reported any loss of life due to a shortage of oxygen.