Thread by @barandbench

#KeralaHighCourt hears matter concerning #COVIDVaccines and Vaccine policy. The matter is before Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Kauser Edappagath.

Adv Santhosh Mathew raises concern about vaccine shortage. Says private hospitals are able to procure, but Govt is not getting

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ASG Raj Kumar gives details of vaccines being produced.

Adv Prasanth Sugathan: All of this is good on paper.

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The new vaccine policy was meant to incentivize, how can the numbers of vaccines come down? Clearly shows there is something wrong with the new policy, Adv Sugathan adds.

@PrasanthTweets

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The central govt is encouraging black marketing. Why are different rates being fixed? Rates must be fixed based on the cost of production: State Attorney, KV Sohan

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Companies cannot be allowed to play in between the pandemic ... How can the private be allowed to black market? Exorbitant prices being charged: Sohan

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ASG Raj Kumar points out that RTPCR rates were earlier high, State could have capped prices earlier, why did they not do it?

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Justice Mustaque notes that while govt has fixed price, it is unable to procure: On the other hand, private players are getting the vaccine. This is the reality

Raj Kumar: I shall place a statement .. may be given some time. Will file a statement on Monday or Tuesday: Raj Kumar

Adv M Ajay informs that orders were placed for 70 lakhs COVISHIELD and 30 lakhs COVAXIN by Kerala.

Of this, 8.84 lakhs given. This is because it is being apportioned right, left and centre by companies. Everybody can approach: Ajay

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It is not a free market, it is not a fear market, Adv Ajay argues

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Adv Mathew: The practical difficulty, Kerala has placed an order of 1 crore vaccines. Private hospitals like Aster are making orders. This is not allotment from Centre, this is directly

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Under the policy, everyone has to register under COWIN. There are 100 people at the gate, they (a hospital) gave it to their employees, Adv Mathew submits.

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As far as Alappuzha is concerned, there are not private hospitals buying and supplying. In Ernakulam, there are five hospitals. Each district has a different pattern, Adv Mathew submits

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Only people with purchasing power are able to access vaccines: Adv Mathew.

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Justice Mustaque: State is willing to pay, right?

Adv Ajay: State is willing to pay and willing to vaccinate whoever comes for free

Adv Mathew: States placing orders should be given priority over private players

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If State is willing to pay, why is Apollo Tires making vaccines, they can make tires ... everybody is making money out it, it is observed.

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Why cant states be given some priority (over private players) if they are will to pay? : Justice Mustaque

Will place a statement: Raj Kumar

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Court dictates interim order, records submission that overlooking State's orders, private entities are being given non-govt quota.

ASG seeks time to get instructions, Court records.

Court says it will post the matter on Tuesday.

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Can place a list of 19 manufactures who can manufacture vaccines. We can use this, ramp up vaccine prodcution. IP (for one vaccine) is already with govt, they get 5% royalty. Why can't this technology be transferred? Adv Sugathan submits

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There is research in place which says this can be done in a short time: Adv Sugathan adds.

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May be a larger issue, the present need is to tide over pandemic now, Justice Mustaque

It may be a larger issue, but I filed this petition in April. they could have taken a decision then, Adv Sugathan

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Court continues dictating interim order. Records that orders for 70 lakh COVISHIELD and 30 lakh COVAXIN were made by Kerala and only 8.84 lakh received.

At least see that that is prioritized: Court tells ASG

Yes, I will see: ASG

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Court posts matter on Tuesday. Asks ASG to get instructions by then on the aspect of prioritization of state orders for the vaccine.

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[BREAKING] Central government policy on Covid vaccination is encouraging black marketing: Kerala govt to Kerala High Court

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#COVIDVaccination

@CMOKerala @PMOIndia

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