Snehal Upadhyay-
The Bombay High Court observed that there is no imposition made by the central government till now on the state government in order to provide door-to-door vaccination for the elderly and disabled citizens who may not be able to go to the vaccination centres and hence was just advisory.
In the preceding hearing, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) informed the court that it has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India asking for permission to begin door-to-door vaccination.
ASG Anil Singh on Monday said to the court that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have replied and have mentioned and has advised the State for ‘near to home COVID vaccination centres.’
The PIL petitioner, Advocate Dhruti Kapadia cited the case from the High Court of Uttarakhand and also said that other High Courts are also asking the states to consider door-to-door vaccination, she also reported the media report of Bikaner in Rajasthan the first city to give door-to-door vaccination.
Responding to that, Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare for the MCGC stated that the MCGC shall begin door-to-door vaccination only if the state government issues the guidelines without waiting for the national policy.
The bench is currently listening to a PIL by two Advocates Dhurti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari, who are seeking the directions of the state and the central government to initiate door-to-door vaccination from people above 75 years, disabled and immobile.
In the response, the Centre has already filed the affidavit last week pointing out with five pointers why near to door vaccination centres are a more appropriate policy than giving vaccination door-to-door.
