Expressing displeasure over the non-functioning of COVID-19 helpline number “104”, Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan of Telangana High Court on 07.09.2020, questioned the State Government what the need of the helpline was when it was not helping the people.
Brief Facts
Among the two PILs, P Srikanth filed the first PIL. The wife of P Srikanth was suffering from breathing problems. The staff had insisted on furnishing a COVID-19 test report before her admission. He complained that a private hospital refused to admit his wife.
Advocate Smriti Jaswal filed another PIL. She sought more operative helpline numbers with the requisite information.
Observation of the Court
The High Court Division Bench consisted of Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan. Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy was also a part of the Bench. They heard two public interest litigations. The PILs were about the complaining of the COVID-19 helpline number “104”. The said helpline number was said to be ineffective and unproductive. The proper handling of the COVID-19 helpline number is not said to be maintained.
The Court referred to the allegation of the litigant that the officials are not allowing the people to undergo COVID-19 tests even though they have symptoms of coronavirus symptoms.
The PILs asked for persons who are handling the helpline number to be more responsible towards the people. They should be in a position to help the people. They also should answer their queries.
Court’s Order
Chief Justice Chauhan gave orders to the State Government to appoint suitable persons for maintaining the helpline. Those appointed persons would play their roles as executives. The persons would assist the callers in guiding them in the right direction.
CJ Chauhan also suggested to rectify and solve all issues in the helpline connectivity that may exist.
The Bench directed the registry to tag these two PILs with the list of COVID-19 matters. The Court posted the matter to September 24.
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