Gujarat High Court in the case of Suo Motu Versus State of Gujarat

Citations:
 Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, 2002
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD 
 R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 42 of 2020 
 With
 CIVIL APPLICATION (FOR DIRECTION) NO. 1 of 2020 
  In R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 42 of 2020 
 With
 R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 45 of 2020 
 With 
 R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 46 of 2020 
 SUO MOTU 
 Versus 
 STATE OF GUJARAT & 2 other(s)
 Appearance: 
 SUO MOTU(25) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 
 for the Opponent(s) No. 1,2,3
 CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. VIKRAM NATH and HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ASHUTOSH J. SHASTRI 
 Date : 20/03/2020 
 COMMON ORAL ORDER 
  (PER : HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. VIKRAM NATH) 
 1. We have heard learned counsels Shri Vishwas Shah, Masoom Shah and Shri B.V.Shah appearing for the petitioners in Writ Petition (PIL) No.46 of 2020; learned counsel Shri K.R.Koshti for petitioners in Writ Petition (PIL) No.45 of 2020; learned counsels Shri Vishal J. Dave and Shri Hiral U. Mehta, for applicants appearing in Civil Application 1 of 2020; learned counsel Shri Ramnandan Singh appearing for Indian Railways; learned counsels Shri Siddharth Dave and Shri Parth H. Bhatt appearingfor Central Government; learned counsel Shri Bhadrish S. Raju, appearing for Airports Authority of India; Shri Kamal Trivedi, learned Advocate General assisted by Ms. Manisha L. Shah, learned Government Pleader and Shri Mitesh Amin, learned Public Prosecutor with learned Assistant Government Pleaders Ms. Krina Calla, Shri J.K.Shah, Ms. Nisha Thakore, Ms. Vrunda Shah and Ms.Aishvarya Gupta, appearing for State authorities, Shri Mihir Thakore, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Shri Salil Thakore, Shri Yatin N. Oza, Senior Advocate assisted by learned counsel Shri Marfatiya and learned counsel Shri Brijesh Trivedi appearing as amicus curiae. Shri Nipun Singhvi, the applicant in Civil Application No.1 of 2020 is present in the Court.
 WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 42 OF 2020: 
 2. Pursuant to our order dated 13th March,2020, the State has filed an affidavit in reply duly sworn by the Joint Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar (sworn on 19th March,2020). A further affidavit on behalf of the respondent-State by the same deponent has also been filed, which has been sworn on 20th March, 2020.
 3. In sum and substance, in the above two affidavits, the State has responded by placing on record various measures taken by it in compliance to not only the directions issued by this Court vide order dated 13th March, 2020 but also in compliance to various Advisories issued by the Central Government as also the State of Gujarat. We are not reproducing all the contents of the affidavits, but having perused the same, we record that adequate measures have been substantially taken by the State to deal with the pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID19). However, it would be unfair to the State if we do not mention few of the salient features pointed out in the two affidavits, which are detailed below:- 
 (A) In exercise of powers conferred under sections 2,3 and 4 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, vide Notification dated 13th March, 2020 (referred to as "Regulations, 2020" for short), the State Government has framed Regulations, titled as"Gujarat Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020" (Annexure:R-1). N-COVID-19 has been declared as epidemic disease and accordingly, provisions have been made for dealing with the said epidemic. In brief, the Regulations of 2020 provide: 
 (i) Dedicated helpline 104 has been provided for facilitating to call in a matter relating to Corona Virus (N-COVID-19). 
 (ii) Sealing of the geographical area.
 (iii) Barring entry and exit of population from the containment area.
 (iv) Closure of schools, offices and banning public gatherings.
 (v) Banning vehicular movement in the area.
 (vi) Initiating active and passing surveillance of nCOVID-19 cases. 
 (vii) Hospital isolation of all suspected cases.
 (viii) Designating any Government / Private building as containment unit for isolation of the cases. 
 (ix) Staff of all Government departments will be at disposal of District administration of the concerned area for discharging the duty of containment measures.
 (x) Any other measure as directed by Department of Health & Family Welfare.
 (B) A Circular dated 13rd March, 2020 (Annexure:R-2) is issued, inter alia, announcing checks and precautionary measures for the entire State requiring the Govt. offices and institutions to suspend all activities of organizing any kind of workshops, seminars or conferences and to keep them on hold till 31st March, 2020. 
 (C) Additional instruction dated 14th March, 2020 is issued to all District Development Officers, all Medical Officers of all the Districts and Medical Officers of all Municipal Corporations to be authorized persons under the Regulations and to admit any person who requires isolation in case he or she has a history of visiting any area where NCOVID-19 is endemic and symptomic. (Annexure:R3). 
 (D) The State Government has further published NCOVID-19 Guidelines dated 14th March, 2020 for raising level of awareness and knowledge of Surveillance Officers. (Annexure: R-4).
 (E) Vide Circular dated 15th March, 2020, all schools, colleges, I.T.Is., polytechnics, auditoriums, swimming pools, tuition/coaching classes with immediate effect till 29th March, 2020. It further provides that spitting in public would entail a fine of Rs.500/-. 
 (F) Further, vide Circular dated 19th March, 2020, the Government directed closure of all gymnasiums, water parks, auditoriums, amusement parks, party plots till 31st March, 2020.
 (G) A further communication dated 19th March, 2020 was addressed to the Ports and Transport Department as well as Gujarat State Roads and Transport Corporation Ltd., whereby the transport activities from Gujarat to Maharashtra have been kept in abeyance till 31st March, 2020. 
 (H) Special Secretary (Appeals) as also the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal and all Revenue Courts of the State to defer the ongoing matters till 31st March, 2020 and no ex-parte decision to be taken in the absence of any party. The above circulars have been collectively filed as Annexure:R-5. 
 (I) In para-4.6 it has been stated that large number of instructions have been issued for spreading awareness about maintenance of cleanliness and precautions to be taken by one and all through pamphlets, handbills, radio announcements, television and other means of media.
 (J) Paragraphs-5,6,7,8,9 and 10 deal with compliance of the directions contained in our order dated 13th March, 2020. Paragraph-11 of the affidavit in reply gives details of the infrastructure development for providing treatment at the Govt. hospitals, creation of isolation beds, quarantine facilities, personal protective kits, N-95 Masks, triple layer masks and gloves being made available to the attending staff.
 (K) Paragraph-12 of the affidavit contains that at the District/Corporation level in the entire State, the Senior Medical Officers have convened about 61 meetings with the Indian Medical Association,, Refresher Course/training have been imparted to about 3700 private medical practitioners for dealing with treatment of infected patients. 
 (L) Paragraphs-14 and 15 contain further assurance given by the State for dealing with all kinds of situation prevailing and that may arise in future.
 4. In the further affidavit of the State, which is sworn today, paragraph-2 mentions about three cases detected positive after confirmed reports were received from the National Institute of Virology, Pune; one in Rajkot, one in Surat and one in Ahmedabad. Paragraph-3 of the said affidavit states that what is most important is that anyone coming from outside who does not show any symptoms at the Airport is allowed to go home after giving self declaration/undertaking that they would do home quarantine of 14 days. However, the above threepersons who were tested positive did not honour their self-declaration/undertaking, which resulted into their travelling from one place to other and possibly having passed the virus to a large number of persons.
 5. Having referred to the two affidavits, Shri Kamal B. Trivedi, learned Advocate General, upon instructions stated that the current status of positive cases in Gujarat has risen to 5. He, however, submitted that the State is fully geared up to tackle this epidemic disease and for which, all possible precautions are being taken and infrastructural development to deal with the same has been created.
 CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 1 OF 2020 IN WP (PIL) NO. 42 OF 2020: 
 6. This is an application filed by one Nipun Pravin Singhvi through Advocate Shri Vishwash Dave and Ms. Hiral Mehta, praying for appropriate directions to respondent Nos. 4 and 5 to the application, i.e. Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority,Gandhinagar and Gujarat Real Estate Appellate Tribunal, Gandhinagar to implement the direction issued by order dated 13thMarch, 2020 in the above Public Interest Litigation and further directing the said respondents to defer the hearings except urgent matters till 31st March, 2020.
 7. We have heard the learned counsel for the applicant and Shri Nipun Pravin Singhvi who is present in the Court. 
 8. Shri Kamal B. Trivedi, learned Advocate General, upon instructions stated that appropriate directions have already been issued to both the respondents, i.e. Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority,Gandhinagar and Gujarat Real Estate Appellate Tribunal, Gandhinagar to strictly follow the directions. He further stated that the Court be rest assured that RERA or its Appellate Tribunal would not in any manner violate the letter and spirit of the directions contained in the order dated 13th March, 2020 and also that only extremely urgent matters would be taken up and all other matters adjourned beyond 31st March, 2020. 
 9. In that view of the matter, this application stands disposed of.
 WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 45 OF 2020: 
 10. This Public Interest Litigation has been filed by an Advocate of this Court having sufficient standing Shri Khemraj R. Koshti, praying for the following reliefs:
 "[A] Your Lordships may be pleased to allow the present writ petition (P.I.L.)
 [B] Your Lordships may be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order/direction and direct the respondent authorities to provide all the service of diagnosis, laboratory investigation and further treatment of COVID-19 to all the persons free of cost to affected or suspected of the said pandemic disease.
 [C] Your Lordships may be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order/direction and direct the respondent no.2 to 4 to provide all the services of diagnosis, laboratory investigation and further treatment of COVID-19 to all the persons free of cost to affected or suspected of the said pandemic disease in their territorial jurisdiction
 [D] Your Lordships may be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriatewrit/order/direction and direct the respondent no.1 to issue press release as well as the same may be put in public domain on the web site and other means of communication to people of the State about the prevailing situation on the basis of IDSP report compiled at the State level every day by way of interim relief
 [E] Any other and further relief/s may kindly be granted in the interest of justice." 
 11. In effect, the relief claimed is two-fold, firstly that the State Government to provide all services of diagnosis, laboratory analysis and treatment of Corona Virus (COVID-19) free of cost to the persons affected or suspected of being infected with Corona Virus (COVID19) in their territorial jurisdiction. The other relief is for appropriate directions to the respondent-State to issue Press release and also to put the same on public domain including the website and other means of communication about prevailing situation on the basis of IDSP Report at the State level everyday. 
 12. Shri Ramnandan Singh, Advocate has appeared for the Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, Ahmedabad (Respondent No.4) and upon instructions has stated that the checking at the railway stations of passengers arriving at Ahmedabad and in the entire State at railway stations where inter-state trains are arriving has begun from yesterday, i.e. 19th March, 2020. He also placed before us the instructions received from the Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Infra), Western Railway, Ahmedabad regarding measures taken for prevention and spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19). Following points are stated in the instructions, which read as under:
 1. Blankets are removed from all AC Coaches based at ADI divn. Blankets are being supplied only on demand by passenger.
 2. Curtains have been removed from all the AC Coaches.
 3. During cleaning of coaches, all the passenger interface areas, such as handles, hand rest, etc. are being cleaned frequently and thoroughly using disinfectant.
 4. At Railway stations, passenger interface area like booking windows, door handles, bench handles, light switches, etc. are being cleaned frequently using disinfectant
 5. Thermal screening of volunteered passengers has been started at ADI Railway station.
 6. Staff having passenger interface have been provided with mask and sanitizer.
 7. Isolation ward with 8 bed facility has been arranged at Sabarmati Railway Hospital.
 8. To discourage unwanted persons from railway stations, Platform ticket cost has been increased to Rs.50/-
 9. Few trains have been cancelled in view of mass cancellation by passengers. 
 10. Public announcement is being done at all railway stations regarding measures to be taken for prevention of COVID-19.
 11. Video clips showing method for prevention of COVID-19 is being displayed on TVs provided at Railway Stations. 
 12. At Railway stations posters/banners showing preventive measures to be taken are being provided."
 13. Shri Trivedi, learned Advocate General, upon instructions from the learned Government Pleader Ms. Manisha Lavkumar Shah, stated that the investigation, laboratory tests and treatment of the suspected and affected persons is done at the cost of the State. No amount is being charged from such affected or suspected persons. According to him the above statements takes care of the first relief claimed by the petitioner.
 14. Insofar as the second relief is concerned, Shri Trivedi submitted that in order to avoid any kind of fake news being published or circulated in social media or digital media or print media, the Government of India has already set up an App named COVID-19, which is continuously updated with all relevant information with respect to the entire country. This has been done by the Government of India to avoid unnecessary panic being crated by fake and incorrect messages by unscrupulous and irresponsible persons. This, according to him, takes care of the second relief claimed by the petitioner. In view of the above, this Writ Petition (PIL) No. 45 of 2020 is disposed of.
 WRIT PETITION (PIL) NO. 46 OF 2020: 
 15. The above Public Interest Litigation has been preferred by Consumer Protection and Analytic Committee, said to be registered society, praying for the following reliefs: 
 “(A) Be pleased to issue Writ of Mandamus or writ in nature of mandamus and or any other suitable Writ and direction to State of Gujarat to instructDistrict Magistrates and Mamlatdars not to resort to Section 14 Securitization measures under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (Act no.54 of 2002) or any other law and also not to undertake eviction / demolition under any law, till 31.03.20 or any such date as Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper.
 (B) Be pleased to issue Writ of Mandamus or writ in nature of mandamus and or any other suitable Writ and direction to Banks and Financial institutions operating in State of Gujarat not to take measures for Auction/Recovery under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (Act no.54 of 2002) or any other law till 31.03.20 or such time as Hon'ble Court may deem just and fit.
 (C) Pending hearing and admission of this Petition, ad-interim relief in terms of Para 12 A and 12 B, may be granted in the interest of justice.
 (D) Costs of this Petition be awarded.
 (E) Such further and other relief, order or direction which may be just, fit, proper and equitable in the facts and circumstances of the Petition.” 
 16. A perusal of the above reliefs refers to suspension of auction by the District Magistrates and Mamlatdars under section 14 of the Securitization measures under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 ("SARFAESI Act " for short) till 31st March, 2020 or any such date as may be thought fit by this Court. The second relief is for appropriate directions to the Banks and Financial Institutions, operating in the State of Gujarat, not to take measures for auction/recovery under the SARFAESI Act till 31st March, 2020 or such other date as the Court may deem fit.
 17. Shri Viswas Shah, learned counsel for the petitioner, referring to the prevailing crisis on account of pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID-19), submits that the High Court, subordinate courts and other revenue courts having already been restricted to hearing of urgent matters and in view of the precautionary measures as advised by the Central Government and the State Government, the relief claimed may be granted.
 18. Shri Kamal B. Trivedi, learned Advocate General, upon instructions stated that the first relief relating tosuspension of action under section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, 2002 by the District Magistrate and Mamlatdar is concerned, appropriate directions would be issued by the State not to proceed till 31st March, 2020, as such precautionary measures have been made applicable till 31st March, 2020 only. Future extension of such suspension of action under section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, 2002, according to Shri Trivedi, learned Advocate General would be reviewed at the appropriate time.
 19. Insofar as the other part of the prayer not to undertake eviction/demolition under any law till 31st March, 2020 is concerned, Shri Kamal B. Trivedi, learned Advocate General stated that for this aspect also appropriate instructions have been issued by the State Government.
 20. Shri Siddharth Dave and Shri Parth Bhatt, Advocates appearing for the Central Government stated that Debt Recovery Tribunal and its Appellate Tribunal would not publish the daily board from 23rd March, 2020 and would defer all other matters except urgent mentioned mattersbeyond 31st March, 2020. 
 21. Insofar as the banks and financial institutions are concerned where prayer has been made for restraining them from taking measures for auction/recovery under the SARFAESI Act, 2002 is concerned, both the learned counsels stated that they are not in a position to make any statement, however, if the Court directs, the same would be ensured by the respective banks/financial institutions.
 22. Shri Vishvash Shah, learned counsel for the petitioner drew our attention to Annexure:B, an order dated 18th March, 2020 passed by a Division Bench of Allahabad High Court in the case of Darpan Sahu vs. State of U.P. and 3 others in Writ Petition (C) No. 704 of 2020, wherein one of the directions issued was to the effect that all the recovery proceedings at the end of the District Administration, Financial Institutions and other administrative bodies/authorities/agencies and at the end of the instrumentalities of the State shall be deferred for a period of two weeks till 6th April, 2020. The directionsissued in the said order are as under: 
 [a] All the recovery proceedings at the end of the district administration, financial institutions and other administrative bodies / authorities / agencies and otherwise at the end of the instrumentalities of the State shall be deferred for a period of two weeks i.e. till 6.4.2020.
 [b] All the auction proceedings, if any pending or initiated in the meanwhile, shall remain deferred for a period of two weeks i.e. till 6.4.2020.
 [c] The District Magistrates and the Administrative Authorities are also restrained from issuing any directions for presence of any person or persons in connection with any pending or any other proceedings for a period of two weeks i.e. till 6.4.2020.
 [d] No demolition exercise shall be carried out at the instance of District Administration or any authorities under the State Government / local bodies for a period of two weeks i.e. till 6.4.2020. 
 [e] No eviction or dispossession exercise against anyone be undertaken for a period of two weeks i.e. till 6.4.2020.”
 23. We have been informed that the Supreme Court, by an order passed today in SLP (Civil) Diary No(s) 10669 of2020, Union of India vs. P.D.Sunny and others, has stayed the directions issued by the Allahabad High Court vide above order and also similar order passed by the High Court of Kerala. As such, we are not inclined to grant this relief. It is for the Central Government, Ministry of Finance to take a call on the same and no blanket order can be granted. Thus, this WP (PIL) No. 46 of 2020 also stands disposed of in view of the above.
 24. Shri Mihir Thakore and Shri Yatin Oza, learned Senior Advocates submitted that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ahmedabad, despite the fact that the High Court has taken cognizance of the crisis created on account of the pandemic of COVID-19 has suspended the Board and is only taking up urgent matters, the NCLT, Ahmedabad is proceeding to hear matters and pass adverse orders in the absence of the counsels. He also stated that Special Secretary, Revenue Department and Deputy Collectors are conducting land matters when there is no such urgency and the said Secretary is not honouring the directives of this Court. According to him,even the Charity Commissioner is also conducting the matters. He also stated that Sessions Court, Ahmedabad city, is recording evidence where witnesses are present and lastly he informed that the Debt Recovery Tribunal at Ahmedabad is also functioning on account of the fact that orders are being passed by the District Magistrates/Chief Judicial Magistrates under Section-14 of the SARFAESI Act and further that banks and financial institutions are continuing to e-auction properties. It was submitted that considering the present crisis prevalent in the country on account of pandemic of COVID-19 and the various measures taken by the Central Government, the State Government, the Supreme Court and the High Court for controlling the spread of such pandemic, the above authorities be also directed to defer all matters at least to 31st March, 2020 or any other date as the situation may demand.
 25. We have already recorded above in the earlier part of this order the statement given by Shri Siddharth Dave and Shri Parth Bhatt, learned counsels appearing for the Central Government that NCLT, Ahmedabad, would notbe issuing the list from Monday i.e. 23rd March, 2020 and only extremely urgent matters upon mention would be taken up. Insofar as the Special Secretary, Revenue Department and the Deputy Collectors are concerned, Shri Kamal Trivedi, learned Advocate General appearing for the State of Gujarat has stated that appropriate steps have already been taken. Insofar as working of Charity Commissioner's office is concerned, if not already curtailed, the State would take appropriate steps and issue necessary directions to follow in principle what is being followed by the Supreme Court, the High Courts and the District Courts. The Sessions Court, Ahmedabad, recording evidence could be in a stray case as we are also conscious of the fact that circulars have been issued to all the Principal District Judges and Principal Judges to deal only with urgent matters. 
 26. Insofar as the functioning of the Debt Recovery Tribunal, the District Magistrates/Chief Judicial Magistrates functioning under Section-14 of the SARFAESI Act, 2002 and the e-auction of immovable properties by the banks and financial institutions areconcerned, we have already observed above and therefore, no further orders are required
 27. Shri Yatin Oza, President, GHAA, stated that Bar room, tea room and library of High Court have been shut down completely. Messages have been circulated on all groups to advocates not to come to Court unless in cases of extreme urgency. 
 28. Shri Brijesh Trivedi, Advocate submitted that advocates should not come to High Court at all. There should be a total shut down of High Court. Advocates may move notes and if Hon'ble Judge finds urgency, then concerned Advocate may be contacted on telephone.
 29. Learned Senior Counsels assisting the Court also submitted that the whole idea behind these measures to check, prevent and control the pandemic of COVID-19 is that first and foremost public gatherings should be avoided. In continuation of the same, it was submitted that although official and semi-official programmes and gatherings have been suspended but in place of religious worship apart from a few where such religious places have been closed and only seva/puja/aarti/namaz/gurbani and service is being carried out by the management, there are many which are still open and people are collecting in large numbers to offer their prayers whatever be their religion. 
 30. Some of the temples in the State of Gujarat which on their own, voluntarily, have taken decision to not allow entry to outside worshipers namely, (1) Ambaji, Banaskantha, (2) Dakor, Kheda, (3) Shamlaji, Arvalli (4) Shrinathji, Rajasthan and (5) Palitana as to avoid public gathering. 
 31. Since the spread of Corona Virus is contagious, gathering of large numbers has to be strictly avoided without fail. If people out of their sentiments continue to gather in large number at places of worship, the entire efforts to take precautionary measures for the spread of COVID-19 would be frustrated. 
 32. We would therefore request one and all to refrain from visiting their places of worship and offer their prayer/puja/service from home instead of gathering at the place of worship. 
 33. The Government may also take an appropriate decision in this regard and issue necessary circular to all the District Magistrates/Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police of all the districts and quarters of the State of Gujarat to ensure that no gathering takes place at any of the places of worship in the State. We however do not mean that the daily puja/aarti/service/offering of prayer (namaz) may be stopped in such places of worship but the management of all the religious places of worship may perform it without making it open to public. 
 34. We also provide that the State would continue with its endeavor to check, prevent, control and treat the affected or suspected persons of the COVID-19 in strict sense and file a status report within a week by the next date which we fix as 27th March, 2020 on the top of the Board
 35. In addition to the above, the Court is of the firm view that all and any measures taken by Central Government, the State Government, the Superior Courts, be it the Supreme Court or the High Courts of different States would not successfully and effectively contain the pandemic of COVID-19 unless and until the public at large, the citizenry of the State who have to be conscious of the threat looming large should avoid unnecessary movement out of their house, gatherings, functions, parties or pleasure trips in and outside the State. To make them aware although wide spread measures have been taken by the State, organizations linked with the State and not linked with the State, the print and digital media, social media, but still more needs to be done and that too at the grassroot level where such facilities of print and digital media, or social media may not be available or for those who are deprived of such facilities. The Government of Gujarat may therefore take such measures to sensitize and make aware the residents of the suburbans, semi-rural, rural and tribal areas of this pandemic and the precautionary measures they need to take. 
 36. We expect that the State of Gujarat will do the needful and apprise this Court on the next date by ensuring the above directions utilizing its massive infrastructure of all departments which cover the suburban, semi rural, rural and tribal areas. 
 37. Further, we have been informed by the Member Secretary, Gujarat State Legal Services Authority that upon receipt of the advisory issued by the Government of Gujarat vide letter dated 6th March, 2020, the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority issued directions to all District Legal Services Authorities to organize various programmes in order to sensitize and bring awareness amongst all. The different steps taken by the different District Legal Services Authorities in the State as intimated by the Member Secretary is reproduced below :- 
 1. DLSA, Gandhinagar has organized a workshop at School for Blinds, Sector 16, Gandhinagar and raised awareness regarding COVID-19. (Press Cutting Annexed).
 2. DLSA, Vadodara had raised awareness by sign boards containing preventive measures for COVID-19 for general public. (Photographs annexed).
 3. DLSA, Rajkot has organized Legal Awareness programme for preventive measures of COVID19 and distributed Homeopathic Medicines free of charge. (Photographs Annexed).
 4. DLSA, Vadodara had printed, published and distributed pamphlets for raising awareness containing preventive measures for COVID-19 for general public. (Photographs Annexed).
 5. TLSC Jetpur, DLSA, Rajkot organized Awareness Programme for preventive measures of CORONA virus at Yellow School Jetpur. (Photographs Annexed).
 6. DLSA, Surat has organized a workshop at Primary School No.144, Surat and raised awareness regarding COVID-19. (Press Cutting Annexed).
 7. DLSA, Ahmedabad (Rural) organized Legal Awareness Programme on Spreading Awareness of preventive measures for Corona Virus at Govt. School Asarva, Ahmedabad. (Photographs Annexed).
 8. TLSC Gondal, DLSA, Rajkot organized Awareness Programme on preventive measures for CORONA Virus at Sub jail Gondal. (Photographs Annexed).
 9. DLSA, Kachchh @ Bhuj organized a programmes of distribution of Herbal brew, for prevention against Corona Virus spread. (Photographs Annexed). 
 10. DLSA, Gandhinagar has raised awareness regarding COVID-19 by affixing banners in court premises. (Photographs Annexed). 
 11. DLSA, Rajkot organized an Awareness Programme for preventive measures of CORONA Virus at Central Jail Rajkot. (Photographs Annexed).
 12. DLSA, Panchmahals @ Godhra organized a program for protection from and prevention of Corona virus at campus of District Court Panchmahals @ Godhra and distributed Herbal Brew (UKALO) and Arsenic 30 tablet to public, Lawyers, Staff members and Officers ofGodhra. (Photographs Annexed).
 13. DLSA Ahmedabad ( Rural ) organized Door to Door campaign at Mahij village and distributed pamphlets to help Marginalized people of society-spreading awareness for maintaining hygiene for protection from Corona Virus. (Photographs Annexed).
 14. DLSA, Rajkot provided guidance for production of MASK to the Jail Inmates of Central Jail, Rajkot and also provided guidance to maintain hygiene for protection from COVID-19. (Press note Annexed).
 15. DLSA, Rajkot organized Awareness Programme regarding preventive measures of CORONA Virus at Rajkot Airport, i.e. for Airlines, loader, CISF and AAI of Rajkot. (Photographs Annexed).
 16. DLSA, Junagadh organized awareness program at District Jail, Junagadh in co-ordination with Health Department and raised awareness to maintain hygiene for protection from COVID19. (Photographs Annexed).
 17. DLSA, Porbandar organized a program of distribution of Herbal brew, for prevention against Corona Virus spread. (Photographs Annexed).
 18. TLSC & DLSA, Mehsana organized awareness program at District Jail, Mehsana in coordination with Health Department and raised awareness to maintain hygiene for protection from COVID-19 and pamphlets distributed. (Photographs Annexed).
 19. DLSA, Bharuch organized a camp for Herbal brew distribution, temperature check and pamphlet distribution for prevention against Corona Virus spread done at District Court Complex, Bharuch. (Photographs Annexed).
 20. TLSC, Halvad of DLSA, Morbi in co-ordination with Health Department organized awareness program to maintain hygiene for protection from COVID-19.
 38. Appreciating the steps already taken, we further direct the Member Secretary to continue with the endeavor and follow up with all the District Legal Service Authorities in the State to carry on with their sensitization and awareness programme on regular basis covering each and every corner of their respective districts. Further status report may be placed by the Member Secretary by the next date fixed in the matter.
 39. Registry to send copy of this order to all concerned including print and digital media today itself by fax, email, WhatsApp or by special messenger. 
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