The Delhi High Court on Wednesday lashed out at the Modi government for oxygen shortage in many hospitals across the country, asking why it had not complied with the Tuesday order to divert oxygen from petroleum and steel industries to patients who are in dire need of the life-saving gas. The court hit out at the central government while hearing a petition filed by Max Healthcare which runs a number of hospitals in Delhi.

The bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli called the governnent's decision to not stop oxygen supply to industries completely ridiculous.

"Even if these industries are run at lower capacity since medical oxygen is needed, heavens are not going to fall. But with the stoppage of oxygen at this stage hell will break loose," the bench lambasted the government, said IBNS. 

"Today, Max is before us, and we are sure soon there will be other hospitals too. Whatever Inox is supplying, is fine, but we are surprised that despite yesterday's order you haven't done anything," the bench said.

"We don't care, beg, borrow, steal or requisition new plants if you want. The citizen can only fall back on the state. It is the responsibility of the government," said the judges.

"If Tatas can divert oxygen produced from their steel plants why can't others. There is no sense of humanity or what? The government can divert oxygen from steel and petroleum industries that are producing oxygen for their use," they said.

"Please look into the gravity of the situation. Thousands of lives are at stake. Do you want to see thousands of people die?"asked Justices Palli and Sanghi.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the government, told the Court that oxygen has been supplied to Max Hospitals at Patparganj and Shalimar Bagh, add more oxygen is on its way, and reach the hospital shortly.

Lawyers representing Max hospitals said the Vaishali and Gurgaon facilities had oxygen supply only for eight hours. On this the court said the oxygen shortage has become a national emergency and called for exercising sovereign power.

"Why is the Centre not waking up to the gravity of the situation? We are shocked and dismayed hospitals running out of oxygen but steel plants are running," the high court said.