Thread by @barandbench

#BombayHighCourt to continue hearing the plea seeking door-to-door #COVID19 vaccination for citizens above 75 years of age and those who are specially-abled or bed-ridden.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

The Central Government filed its response to the plea on Wednesday stating their reasons why the door to door vaccination policy is not possible.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

barandbench.com/news/litigatio…

Bench of Chief Justice and Justice GS Kulkarni ask Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni appearing for State how will the vaccination programme be conducted with the new guidelines #BreakTheChain of April 13.

Court: We have read that there are no vaccinations at the centres.
What is the ground situation?

AG requests for permission to let a doctor speak for clarification on the issue. He submits only two companies are manufacturing. And they are trying to ramp up production.

Court: Yes but from May 1, there were be people above 18 coming for vaccination.

AG: We have stick for 3-4 days.

Court: But what after May 1. There are people taking vaccination for the second time too.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

AG: Yes but our stock is replenishing. We have started ordering, and receiving stocks. The State government can do so directly now.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court asks ASG Anil Singh what about the door to door policy.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

ASG: Milords we have filed an affidavit.

Court: Yes thanks to the media, we have come to know about the affidavit. Five reason for not having policy..

barandbench.com/news/litigatio…

Court: Other countries have advanced. I know in LA they have a drive through vaccines. Something like could be thought for us.. We have to advance and move with time. There are senior citizens, specially abled.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain

ASG submits that if there is co-morbidity, then there is risk after vaccination.

Court: This is choosing between devil and deep sea. You do not want co-morbid patients to be given without supervision, but because they cannot come to the centres, then you want them to suffer?

Court: You talk of refrigerators, there are refrigerators in vehicles. There are ICUs in ambulance, you cannot keep a refrigerator?

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court: Then your reason of wastage due to time taken, where is the study that shows there will be wastage?

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court: We expected a better affidavit with facts.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Adv Dhruti Kapadia petitioner informed that maintaining social distancing at centres will be more difficult.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

AG: this is not my place to talk, but for bed ridden patients, it is the family members who have to ensure they are not vaccinated.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court: You are right, but then if something has to happen, then what happens.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

ASG: This will have to be considered from a national perspective for a policy.

Court: Yes but do not close this right away. Think of some solution. This is something that can be done.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

ASG: We will definitely think of something, workout something.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Kapadia submits that there is another issue pertaining to the helpline number for the purpose of booking that needs to be urgently looked into.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Kapadia: and finally there should be something to provide for vaccination without an Aadhar number. Aadhar could be done away with.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

ASG: Any document could do, but some document would be required. Voter card will also do.

Court: If there is some person living under the bridge, then won’t he carry the disease? Then what do we do?

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court: unless you start a drive to get Aadhar card for everyone, catch hold of persons and get them Aadhar card.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

ASG: Milords documents will be required. Because we issue a certificate, so it should be based on some document.

AG: Tomorrow someone with the name of Anil Singh would take vaccine, and then he may not be allowed. (*laughs*)

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain

ASG: Milords his name Kumbhakoni is not that common, mine is. What to do! (*everyone laughs*)

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Court says they will make prima facie observations in the order. Meanwhile Centre can relook into their affidavit.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Kapadia tries to make a suggestion for conducting colony based vaccination drives, etc.

Court: Madam, first let there be vaccines, then we will listen to everything.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment

Hearing ends. Matter adjourned to May 6, 2021.

#COVID19 #MaharashtraFightsCorona #BreakTheChain #MaharashtraGovernment