SHIVANI KAUSHIK Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Following issues of vital importance emerge for consideration in the instant petition:-

(2.) A young Student pursuing her studies in a Law School at Patna approached this Court, highlighting the Task Force's plight to fight with the Pandemic (CORONA VIRUS) COVID-19. She placed on record material indicating that there have been instances where the members of the Task Force were attacked and physically assaulted by the patients/their relatives/general public in the State of Bihar. According to her, their lives need to be protected and given certain facilities, including monetary benefits, as an incentive to help build their capacities. She pleaded grant of financial benefits by way of risk and hardship plan to the persons engaged in fighting the current Pandemic Covid-19. She also highlighted a lack of protective tools and equipment such as PPE kits, gloves, sanitizers, etc. In support thereof, she cited State of Haryana's examples granting monetary incentives to the workers engaged in fighting pandemic Corona Virus (Covid-19) and the unfortunate incident of the medical team undertaking such exercise being attacked in East Champaran, Bihar for want of proper supportive police machinery.

(3.) The State and the Central Government filed several affidavits indicating the steps taken in implementing various statutory provisions and the guidelines issued by the competent authority from time to time.