38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, August 01, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Supreme Court calls for uniform pricing policy for COVID vaccine across states, questions Centre on the dual procurement policy for vaccines

By Aishwarya Gairola      02 June, 2021 04:41 PM      0 Comments
Supreme Court calls for uniform pricing policy for COVID vaccine across states, questions Centre on the dual procurement policy for vaccines

A bench of the apex court comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageshwar Rao and Ravindra Bhatt questioned the Central Government on the discrepancy in the policies of procurement of COVID-19 vaccine between states and the Centre.

The bench initiated the hearing of Suo moto proceeding on issues relating to supply of oxygen, drug and vaccine policy in relation to the COVID pandemic.

The Court said that "Centre says it gets vaccines at low pricing since it buys in bulk, if this is the rationale then why do states have the higher price? There needs to be one price for the vaccines across the nation. Pandemic has evolved in last two months. 

"In this case, if the purpose is to procure vaccines then why should the centre confine itself to only post 45 age people & leave pre 45 age entirely to state for arranging logistics. How do we look at the marginalised & economically weaker ones?," it further added.

The bench also questioned the Solicitor General appearing for the Centre about the registration for vaccine for all above 18 years of age and what would happen if a villager doesnt carry a mobile? The SC also asked the Centre about its plan to address the digital divide and ensuring vaccines to the migrant workers.

Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta told the bench that if a farmer doesnt have a mobile then he can go to a centre and get registered and Regarding providing modes other than digital divide, CoWIN allows for the registration of up to four people and the panchayats have centres and infrastructures fir internet, as for those who still do not have access can take help from friends and relatives. He added that online registration was necessary in the light of the exhaustible number of vaccines and to avoid crowing due to walk-in.

Justice Bhat further mentioned that he has been getting destress calls that as soon as the slots are announced, they get booked within two minutes.  Adding to this, Justice Rao said that 75percent vaccination is in urban areas and the concern needs to be addressed.

The bench called for amendment in the policy and formulation of new policies that would address the new issues in order to better guide the states.

Justice Chandrachud said, "If we agree to something wrong, then it is not a sign of weakness but strength. The purpose of the hearing has been dialogical, we are not going to lay down policy & engage stakeholders in dialogue. We want to make sure that the arms of the nation are strengthened. The fact that the Minister of External Affairs travelled to the USA & spoke to stakeholders shows how serious you are."

During the course of the hearing, Justice Chandrachud also addressed the news of disposal of dead bodies in the rivers and remarked, I don't know whether a complaint of sedition has been filed against the news channel for publishing the photograph."



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-directs-telangana-speaker-to-decide-disqualification-petitions
Trending Judiciary
SC directs Telangana Speaker to decide disqualification petitions against 10 rebel BRS MLAs within 3 months [Read Order]

SC orders Telangana Speaker to decide disqualification pleas against 10 rebel BRS MLAs within 3 months, stressing swift action on political defections.

31 July, 2025 04:58 PM
sc-to-first-consider-maintainability-of-review-against-2022-judgment-on-eds-powers-under-pmla
Trending Judiciary
SC to first consider maintainability of review against 2022 judgment on ED's powers under PMLA

SC to first decide if review pleas on ED powers under PMLA are maintainable; hearing on Karti Chidambaram’s plea set for August 6.

01 August, 2025 10:58 AM

TOP STORIES

delhi-govt-files-plea-in-sc-to-recall-2018-ban-on-older-vehicles
Trending Judiciary
Delhi govt files plea in SC to recall 2018 ban on older vehicles

Delhi govt moves SC to recall 2018 ban on 10-yr-old diesel, 15-yr-old petrol vehicles, citing lack of data and need for emission-based policy.

26 July, 2025 05:17 PM
sc-issues-guidelines-to-be-implemented-as-law-to-prevent-students-suicides
Trending Judiciary
SC issues guidelines to be implemented as law to prevent students suicides [Read Judgment]

SC issues 15-point guidelines to prevent student suicides; directs states to notify rules for coaching centres, mental health support, and monitoring.

26 July, 2025 05:30 PM
sc-lawyers-body-urges-cji-to-prohibit-advocates-creating-video-reels-in-premises-sharing-of-court-proceedings-clips
Trending Legal Insiders
SC lawyers body urges CJI to prohibit advocates creating video reels in premises; sharing of court proceedings clips [Read Letter]

SC lawyers urge CJI to ban video reels, photos & court clip sharing; say such acts breach Bar rules, risk security & distort judicial proceedings.

26 July, 2025 05:44 PM
delay-in-assent-to-bills-sc-allows-kerala-to-withdraw-pleas-against-state-guv
Trending Judiciary
Delay in assent to bills: SC allows Kerala to withdraw pleas against state Govt

SC allows Kerala govt to withdraw pleas against Governor over delay in bill assent, citing Tamil Nadu verdict; Centre opposed plea withdrawal.

26 July, 2025 05:52 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email