The Bombay high court on Tuesday asked the state government to give details on measures taken by it to control swine flu. The government has been given four weeks to file its reply.
The Bombay high court on Tuesday asked the state government to give details on measures taken by it to control swine flu. The government has been given four weeks to file its reply.
The court added that it wanted the government machinery and doctors to concentrate on controlling the spread instead of running to court.
A division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice BP Colabawalla was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Datta Mane on the rising number of swine flu cases in Maharashtra and alleging state apathy towards the pandemic.
The PIL prays for "establishing of laboratories for testing swine flu (H1N1) samples, so that cases can be controlled". It has also prayed for adequate supply of medicines to all hospitals in state.
Government pleader Shekhar Bhise questioned whether Mane had statistics available or had filed the PIL only on the basis of news reports. "Unless any statistics are available with him, how can he file such a petition? He has only quoted newspaper reports," said Bhise.
The judges rapped the petitioner for failing to do proper homework. Chief justice Shah remarked: "You don't want to do anything else but read newspapers and file a petition, so that the other side keeps running… Have you gone to public hospitals to find out what they are doing? You are only reading papers. You are like armchair philosophers."
The court also questioned Mane whether he alleged any inaction on the state's part.
Mane alleged that there was no system in place. "There is no awareness about the disease. There is only one government testing laboratory in Mumbai," he added.
He also claimed that the Gujarat government had given Rs5 lakh to the family of a patient who had died of swine flu, whereas the Maharashtra government has not shown any sensitivity or concern.
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