Re: [IAC#RG] Supreme Court’s order on Corona testing

Dear Mr. Anant Trivedi

Thank you for a copy of the Supreme Court's order. The Supreme. It answers all my concerns, which were raised on the basis  of TV media reports immediately after the judgement. In their keennesss to beat their competitors in 'breaking' the story, they broke it to pieces! I didn't expect it. Contrary to the TV reports, the Hon'ble Court has only given an interim order and that too only in respect of the petitioner. The court has given notice of 15 days to the Government to file a reply after which it will give the verdict. I salute the Court for its prompt interim relief to the petitioner.

Thank you again for posting  a copy of the interim order and correcting a wrong impression conveyed by the media. I myself couldn't fully believe what the media said and wanted to see the court's order.

N. Natarajan 


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On Thursday, April 9, 2020, 12:09 PM, Anant Trivedi <trivedianant@gmail.com> wrote:

Totally agree. I put out the SC. This one is not detailed. 

On Thu, 9 Apr 2020, 11:48 am Natarajan, <natarajan218@yahoo.com> wrote:

Thank you. I appreciate your point. 

Unfortunately once someone comes to know that something is free he wants it whether he needs it or not. That is human psychology. Add to it, rumours and panic factor. In no time there will be milling crowds in labs. This is the risky  outcome to be avoided at all cost. I hope the detailed judgement will be clear enough.


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On Thursday, April 9, 2020, 9:26 AM, Anant Trivedi <trivedianant@gmail.com> wrote:

I think the case was not correctly presented to the Supreme Court. Those who the govt is testing to identify the spread eg the Tablighi suspects are not being charged. 

Because of the fear factor people are ringing up the help line and the doctors are either asking them to be available for further tests or do not worry. It is this category where charge is applicable. This is not a large number and free tests here are justifiable. 

This is not an issue where there is a likely hood of millions demanding a test. 

However with opening up of private testing labs like thyrocare there is an increased risk of unnecessary flooding and this is where those who can afford should be made yo pay - perhaps subsidised for the over 65.

On Wed, 8 Apr 2020, 9:19 pm Natarajan, <indiaresists@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

The just Apex Court's judgement to make corona testing free of cost in private labs without waiting for Government's response even for 18 hours  seems hasty. The court's intentions are indeed honourable. But this judgement has enormous implications as follows:

1. If everyone wants to be tested,130 crore tests are necessary (not counting repeated tests) in the next few days. No country in the world has even a fraction of this capacity for testing in terms of manpower, equipment, or laboratory infrastructure. 

2. There will be milling crowds in the few existing labs leading to enormous risk of spread of the virus.

3. In an environment of shortage of resources labs may claim reimbursement for spurious tests. People genuinely needing tests and paying bribes in anxiety cannot be ruled out

4. Government and courts may be flooded with cases relating to failure to provide the free tests ordered by Supreme Court.

5. Even granting the present emergency it is the elected government's burden of responsibility to adhere to financial discipline and use its scarce resources in a wise manner without pressure from any outside institution. While an occasional and exceptional limited  intervention by the Supreme Court could be seen as reasonable, such massive intervention without giving an opportunity to the government is inexplicable. It could be seen as a case of panicking.

6. In continuation of the previous point, why should everyone be eligible for free testing? Surely those who can afford to pay must be required to pay. In respect of others they should bear at least a fraction of the cost. The payment will be proof of actual testing. This will also 

eliminate people who really don't need the test.

With due respect it is hoped that the Court will cover all these points in its detailed judgement.

Prof. N. Natarajan

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