SC modifies earlier order, says free Covid-19 testing only for poor

New Delhi: As the coronavirus cases are on the rise in the country, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that free testing for COVID-19 should be available only for the poor. The top court asked the Centre to decide who else should get the benefit from the test. Also Read - Coronavirus: Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against PM-Cares Fund, Calls it 'Misconceived'

Passing a new order, the apex court said that free testing for COVID-19 will be available to people who are eligible under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana as already implemented by the Centre. The free testing should also be available to people belonging to economically weaker sections of the society as notified by the Centre, the court said.

While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court said the Centre and the Ministry of Health can decide whether which other categories of the weaker sections should be eligible for the free test. The judges said that the Centre should take the decision in a week time and inform the court.