Order of the Rajasthan High Court regarding COVID-19 vaccination of persons not having the requisite identity cards, Rajasthan, 03/06/2021
Order of the Rajasthan High Court in the matter of Suo Moto Vs Union of India & Others dated 03/06/2021. The matter related to COVID-19 vaccination of persons not having the requisite identity cards through CoWIN.
The National Health Mission, Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department, Rajasthan vide letter, June 1, 2021 had made a request to the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, Government of India to include the Pakistani minority migrants in the SOP of May 6, 2021 issued by the Central Government.
The Amicus Curiae representing the Pakistani minority migrants informed the court that even those who are declared as citizens of India, were not being vaccinated on the ground that they don't have Aadhar cards. Also, as far as the ration/food packets were concerned, the same were being made available to the Pakistani minority migrants residing in Jodhpur city but in other districts such as Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jaipur no such ration/food packets were being made available to them.
The Rajasthan High Court directed the Chief Secretary, Rajasthan to submit a detailed affidavit regarding the steps taken by the state government in every district as per the procedure given in clause-5 of the SOP, May 6, 2021 and also explain why the government is not treating the Pakistani minority migrants, who were not having the prescribed identity cards, eligible for COVID-19 vaccination - even though the court in its order, May 28, 2021 had already clarified that the Pakistani minority migrants were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination as per the SOP of May 6, 2021. Further, the status of provision of ration/food packets to needy Pakistani minority migrants in Rajasthan must also be submitted, the court in its order, June 3, 2021 said.