M.Vetri Selvan v. Union Of India

WP No.26097 of 2011 The Hon`ble The CHIEF JUSTICE and The Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM M.VETRI SELVAN ADVOCATE, NO.300/183, 2ND FLOOR, THAMBU CHETTY ST, CHENNAI-600 001.

Vs UNION OF INDIA REP.BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, NORTH BLOCK, CENTRAL SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI-110 001. and 5 others.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has drawn our attention to the National Disaster Management Guidelines and submits that the following aspects have not been complied with:

1.Para 6.8.3.3 provides for a Quick Reaction Medical Teams (QRMTs) / Medical First Responders (MFRs.) for pre-hospital care;

2.In para 6.8.4 dealing with Hospital Preparedness, there is a requirement of designated hospitals for Radiation Injuries Treatment Centres (RITCs) to manage nuclear / radiological emergencies;

3.In para 6.13 dealing with Action Points, sub-para (xii) states that designated hospitals require specialised RITCs to manage nuclear / radiological emergencies and these RITCs will have a burns ward, blood bank, BMT and stem cell harvesting facilities, etc. The details of these medical preparedness have been set out in Appendix IV, which have also not been complied with; and 4.In the same paragraph, there is a requirement of identified hospitals at the secondary (district) level, to be strengthened to develop specialised capacities such as decontamination centre, facility for safe disposal of contaminated wastes, detection, protection and de-corporation and managing patients exposed to radiation and primary trauma care.

2.Learned counsel states that these are the four aspects alone which, according to him, need attention.

3.We may notice that as per para 9.4, time frames have been laid for implementation of the guidelines and keeping the same in mind, it has only to be verified whether the apprehension expressed by the petitioner in the four aforesaid aspects has any basis or not, especially as the three year period given for implementation of the aforesaid four aspects has already expired. 4.Since the guidelines have been designed by the third respondent, it would be appropriate that the answer to these queries may be given either by the third or fifth respondents, who are the concerned persons. 5.Let the affidavit be filed within six (6) weeks. 6.List for compliance on 01.09.2015.

[CJ] [T S S J] 13/07/2015 SRA