A PIL has been filled in the Apex Court today, 26th of March 2020 which seeking a declaration of financial emergency in light of nationwide lockdown in the midst of alarming cases of Coronavirus Outbreak.
The Public Interest Litigation was filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) against the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking imposition of Financial Emergency under Article 360 of the Constitution of India. The petitioner claims that the difference in orders imposed by different state and the centre is creating confusion in an already tough situation.
It is also claimed that once the National Lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, different state and police authorities started taking independent action under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The petition mentions:
This use of emergency provisions of Constitution is required not only to defeat the war against coronavirus but also in recovery of the Indian economy after lockdown is over
The petitioner has also requested the Supreme Court to give directions to the Government to take necessary steps to suspend collection of utility bills such as Electricity, Water, Gas, Telephone, Internet as well as EMI payments which are liable to be paid during the lockdown.
The petition has also sought for the direction to be given to State Governments and Police Authorities to comply with the Home Ministry Instructions so that essential services such as food delivery, grocery delivery are not disrupted.
The petitioner as also requested for an urgent hearing through video conferencing by the Apex Court.
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