38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, March 29, 2024
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 doesn’t 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 doesn’t 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

arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM
youtuber-strings-plea-against-youtube-accounts-suspension-andhra-pradesh-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-google
Trending Top Stories
BREAKING: Youtuber String’s plea against Youtube accounts suspension: Andhra Pradesh HC issues notice to Centre, Google

Andhra Pradesh High Court issues notice to the Centre and Google LLC on Youtube journalist String’s plea against suspension of its accounts by Google (which owns Youtube).

28 March, 2024 11:26 AM

TOP STORIES

delhi-liquor-scam-court-remands-arvind-kejriwal-to-ed-custody-till-march-28-read-remand-application
Trending Judiciary
Delhi liquor scam: Court remands Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28 [Read Order]

Delhi liquor scam: Arvind Kejriwal remanded to ED custody till March 28. Court grants agency permission for interrogation in liquor policy case.

23 March, 2024 11:53 AM
sc-dismisses-centres-plea-for-review-of-judgment-directing-ed-to-furnish-written-grounds-of-arrest-to-pmla-accused
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses Centre’s plea for review of judgment directing ED to furnish written grounds of arrest to PMLA accused [Read Order]

Supreme Court dismisses Centre's plea, upholds judgment mandating Enforcement Directorate to provide written grounds of arrest in PMLA cases.

23 March, 2024 03:14 PM
kerala-hc-to-hear-lesbian-couples-plea-against-forced-conversion-therapy-on-april-9
Trending Judiciary
Kerala HC to hear lesbian couple’s plea against forced conversion therapy on April 9

Kerala HC will hear a lesbian couple’s plea highlighting that one of them was subjected to forced conversion therapy.

23 March, 2024 03:30 PM
how-can-people-be-compelled-to-vote-madras-hc-asks
Trending Judiciary
“How can people be compelled to vote? Madras HC asks

“How can people be compelled to vote?”, the Madras HC queried in a plea asking employers in Tamil Nadu to demand proof from employees of having voted on polling day.

23 March, 2024 05:04 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email