Teesha
The centre told the Supreme Court not to intervene in vaccination policy and to trust them with the process.
The Union of India had filed an affidavit with respect to the Suo Motu cognisance taken up by the Apex court on 30th April 2021.
The Centre in its affidavit stated that the COVID vaccine strategy of UOI is formulated to address immediate, medium-term and long-term perspectives.
“On an immediate front, the availability, augmentation and enhancement of vaccines and completing vaccination of vulnerable groups is the topmost priority of the nation,” said the Centre’s affidavit accessed by ANI.
It also said that the vaccination policy had been framed to ensure proper distribution with the limited availability of vaccines, vulnerability and also the fact that vaccinating the entire country was not possible in one go.
Hence the policy conforms the mandate of article 14 and article 21, affirming to intelligible differentia principle.
Answering the price disparity, the affidavit stated “The Central Government by nature of its large vaccination programme, places large purchase orders for vaccines as opposed to the State Governments and/or Private Hospitals and therefore, this reality has some reflection in the prices negotiated.”
However “This price factor will not have any impact on the ultimate beneficiary since all state governments have already declared their policy decision of administering the vaccine to its residents, free of cost.”
Justifying the concern the centre said its strategy is to “Focus on priority areas of vaccination and to allow enhanced production and further research and development to continue and expand with full potential without any real or perceived constrictions.”
UOI further substantiates its policy decision by saying that the steps taken by the executive are based on expert medical and scientific advice, have to be appreciated in the context of a medical crisis and “As the decisions are taken after detailed deliberations at the highest executive level, for germane reasons, no interference is called for in judicial proceedings, leaving it open for the executive to discharge its executive functions in the larger interest.”
The affidavit also tells about various key measures taken up by the centre to tackle the upsurge effectively and drawing key line directives for future prospective as well.
A three judge bench comprising Justice Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud will hear the case on 10th May 2021.