The Meghalaya High Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh while dealing with a Public Interest Litigation concerning the COVID pandemic situation in the state of Meghalaya, ordered the State government to not relent on the vaccination drive or try to persuade people to take the vaccination or even provide for disincentives upon their refusal.
Background
The matter pertained to the action taken by the State to deal with the pandemic. It appeared that there were reservations in certain quarters regarding vaccination. The Court earlier in its order stated that the State should adopt an aggressive policy in undertaking awareness drives and trying to convince people to vaccinate themselves, not only for their own benefit but also for the protection of others. The State said that vaccines are available in sufficient quantities. Order as to the filing of a detailed report as to the extent of vaccination conducted till the end of November 2021 was given. It was said that this may serve the State well if the District Councils and other authorities, including the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, also undertake a campaign to educate people and convince them to take the vaccination.
It was also made open to the State to formulate rules or guidelines so that persons unwilling to take vaccination do not expose themselves to others. Mr. A. Kumar learned AG at the outset submitted that he had received the report from the various Government Authorities in response to the report of the District Legal Services Authority. He requested some more time to submit the response to the report of the District Legal Services Authority.
Order of the Court
Court after taking into consideration the various aspects stated that Since the number of covid cases in the State has been on the decline so, State should stop convincing People who are not ready to vaccinate themselves and order reads as,
“The State’s detailed report in terms of the order dated December 6, 2021 is ready and may be filed. Since the number of covid cases in the State has been on the decline, let the matter appear in the first week of February, 2022.
However, the State should not relent on the vaccination drive or trying to persuade people to take the vaccination or even provide for disincentives upon refusal”.
The matter is listed to be taken up on 1st February 2022. List on February 1, 2022.
Case Details
Case Title: Registrar General, High Court v. State of Meghalaya
Bench: Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh
Read Order@LatestLaws.com
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