Plea For Conversion Of Religious And Charitable Places Enjoying Tax Exemption Into Covid Centres

Background Facts

A petition has been filed in Public Interest by Manu Gaur president of Taxpayers Association of India before Supreme Court to seek direction to convert charitable and religious places owning the property that enjoys benefit under Section 80g and Section 12a of the Income Tax Act into covid centers. The present plea is filed by Advocate Piyush Hans for seeking such directions.

The petitioner asks the court to cease any further transaction with immediate effect and their funds be used for COVID patients. The plea sought directions to maintain, develop and circulate district-wise web portal for the patient affected by Covid displaying needs of Oxygen, Hospitalisation, Medicines, etc, and to appoint the district-wise NODAL officer.

Further waiver of GST on the use of essential drugs and medicines has been sought in the plea in this current situation relating to covid and welcoming the other to manufacture and distribute the life-saving drugs.

The plea further sought directions to the government to declare predilection in gaining degrees and in exams to those in line to become doctors and nurses who willingly come forward to serve COVID patients, after finishing a particular period in Covid.

The directions concerning these are sought to be issued to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Council of Nursing and Medical Council of India or the appropriate body.

In the plea, it is asked for court's intervention to issue appropriate strategies to Media House to promote lungs exercises, etc, and obligatory advertisement for exercise at home for a minimum of 4 minutes every hour. Direction sought that necessary amendment is made in respect of disaster management act making denial of COVID testing punishable and to compensate those affected during a pandemic. There is need to frame proper guidelines for Covid patient who requires hospitalization, Covid care center, and home isolation.

Petitioner urged the Court to make accountable and responsible the 'MP's and MLA's for all matters within their Constituency along with the District officers. This can be done by setting up various 'panchayats' enlightening permanent residents, NGOs, Academia, businesses, Youth, etc. all working together and transparently.

Court’s Order

The bench headed by Justice Chandrachud.

Due to some technical glitches in Court’s server, the hearing of the plea is rescheduled and the same will be heard on Monday.

What is your take on the petition pleaded before the Apex Court in respect of converting charitable and religious places owning the property that enjoys benefit under Section 80g and Section 12a of the Income Tax Act into covid centers? Tell us in the comments below.