Jharkhand critical of Centre’s objection to SC intervention to deal with COVID-19 pandemic

The Jharkhand government hailed the Supreme Court for its timely intervention, saying it led to optimal distribution and utilisation of oxygen and other essential drugs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and

The Jharkhand government hailed the Supreme Court for its timely intervention, saying it led to optimal distribution and utilisation of oxygen and other essential drugs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and termed the Centre's objection to the judicial interference as "misplaced and unwarranted”. The JMM-Congress coalition government was critical of the objections raised by the Centre on the scope of judicial review and the jurisdiction exercised by the top court in taking suo motu cognizance of the matter related to supply of medicines, oxygen and vaccines to deal with the massive second wave of COVID-19. An affidavit has been filed by the Jharkhand government in the suo motu case on distribution of essential supplies and services during the pandemic, in which the Centre had on May 9 justified its COVID-19 vaccination policy and response to the pandemic and said "any overzealous, though well-meaning judicial intervention, may lead to unforeseen and unintended consequences”.