Lekha G
The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai’s civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), to inform the Court if it was ready to introduce a door-to-door Covid-19 vaccination programme for persons who are unable to visit inoculation centres.
The Court also directed MCGM Chief Iqbal Singh Chahal to file an affidavit today regarding the same.
The Chief Justice asked counsel appearing for BMC, “We are only trying to understand what is the reason behind not having door-to-door vaccination? Why can’t you start door-to-door vaccination? We will grant you permission. Do not wait for the Centre’s permission and go to the aid of elderly,” the Court remarked.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh appearing for the Union Government informed the Court that an Expert Committee had been set up to look into the issue and a Standard Operating Procedure would be issued soon.
The Petitioner, Dhruti Kapadia further suggested that while administering the vaccination, family members could give consent forms to the BMC so that nobody can be held personally responsible in case any problem arises.
The Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni was hearing a PIL filed by two advocates, Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari seeking directions to the Centre to initiate a door-to-door vaccination drive for certain vulnerable categories like senior citizens, disabled persons and those who are bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound.