Kriti Agrawal
The Delhi High Court slammed the Centre’s caller tune public service message encouraging people to get vaccinated, calling it “irritating” and challenging its intent in a time when states were reportedly short on vaccines.
Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli asked,
“Despite the fact that you are not vaccinating people, you continue to say the vaccination lagavaiye [get vaccinated].” If there is no vaccine, kaun lagayega vaccination [Who will be vaccinated]? What is the message’s point?”
“It [the vaccine] should be given to everyone. Give money even though you’re going to take it. Even children are saying this,” the bench said, adding that the government must be “innovative” in such matters.
The Court stated that the government should prepare more such messages rather than just one and broadcast it on a regular basis.
Last year, there was a lot of campaigning held on hand washing and hygiene, according to the bench, and there needs to be material on how to use oxygen concentrators and cylinders properly as well.
“All of this has to happen quickly because this is when people are importing and purchasing concentrators,” the Court said, adding that the state is responsible for it.
In response to the Court’s observations on information dissemination, counsel for the Central Government told the Court that they will discuss the matter with the appropriate Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health and report back next week.