The Telangana High Court today issued two important directives to the state government - one on the ongoing pandemic and the other on the construction of a new building for the Osmania General Hospital (OGH).
Following the reported resurgence of Covid-19 cases in various places in Telangana, including
in Karimnagar, a bench of the court asked the government to release a regular bulletin on the number of Covid-19 cases, and to conduct an awareness program about the possibility of the spread of the virus.
"There is an urgent need to increase awareness among the people of the state regarding the possible spread of the coronavirus. They must be informed of the need to remain cautious and adhere to Covid-19 safety guidelines. People should also be informed about the vaccine registration process," the court told the government.
It also asked the government to take steps to amp up testing in order to monitor the pandemic.
In response, the government counsel provided the bench the details of the ICPR and antigen tests, and surveys being conducted to keep track of the spread of the disease. The counsel added that the government was currently also conducting a vaccination drive in Telangana.
The HC then asked for more details on the matter, and instructed the government to provide case details, testing data, and information on the steps being taken to contain the spread of the virus.
Another hearing on the matter will be held on March 18.
The state's apex court also pulled up the Telangana administration for its "failure" to take a call on whether the latter would opt for the construction of a new building for the OGH or take up renovation works in the existing buildings.
Pointing out that the Osmania General Hospital was the largest government hospital in Telangana, and that it was a building of historical import, the court asked the government why it had failed to take a decision on the matter in the past six years. It then gave the government four weeks time to provide a response on the matter with all the necessary details.
The tussle between the renovation and the reconstruction of the OGH is an old one.
Various PILs citing the government's failure to preserve and maintain the historic hospital have also been filed in the past.