COVID-19 vaccination must reach slums, congested areas: Karnataka High Court urges State to adopt special measures

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday said that COVID-19 vaccination must reach people living in slum areas as well as thickly populated regions as they are more vulnerable to the virus..A Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said in its order that State should make special efforts to persuade citizens in thickly populated areas, as it is a matter of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.."The other issue is administration of COVID-19 vaccine to citizens. There are large number of slums areas and shanties which include workers on construction sites etc........Question is whether State should make special efforts to persuade citizens in thickly populated areas, who are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 to take the vaccine. Perhaps, this will be a measure in curbing the spread of COVID-19," the order said. .The Court was hearing a case registered suo motu after it received two letters highlighting the difficulties faced by COVID-19 patients in the State..When the matter was taken up for hearing on Thursday, the Court remarked that the State must ensure that vaccines reach slums and densely populated regions. ."Ensure Vaccination reaches slum areas, congested areas......the masses.....The best method is to vaccinate more people.....Those who badly need it (vaccine), they must get it," the Bench said. .Additional Advocate General (AAG) Dhyan Chinappa submitted that providing vaccinations to people is subject to two aspects, one, availability of vaccines and two, the number of people. ."If there is a shortage in vaccines, then priorities on who will get it should be set right. It can't be that just only registered people get it," the Court shot back. .The Court further suggested conducting a massive drive to spread awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine. This aspect is important as COVID-19 vaccine has a direct correlation to Article 21, added the Bench. .AAG Chinnappa then apprised the Bench that information about the vaccine is already being provided via television, radio and phones. .On the point of rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State, the Court directed the State government and BBMP to place on record the special measures taken to curb the spread of the virus. .This apart, the Central government also faced the ire of the Court as it had failed to address the Court on how Rs. 6,000 would be disbursed to pregnant and lactating mothers in the State. Previously, the Court had directed the Centre to inform the Bench on the implementation of disbursing Rs. 6,000 to women entitled to maternity benefits under Section 4 (b) of the National Food Security Act, 2013The counsel for the Centre on Thursday sought additional time to place the details of the same on record but the Court was in no mood to grant further time. ."For how long are you (Centre) hoing to take time? It can't go on like this. If the scheme is not place on record, then it will be a mockery of the provisions.....You don't have to study rocket science to show how Rs 6,000 will be paid to eligible women," the Bench said. .However, the Court proceeded to grant a week's time to Centre for placing the aforesaid details on record. .The Court further reminded the State to file details on the progress made in the matter of bringing an insurance scheme for the advocates by the next date of hearing. .The matter will be taken up for hearing again on March 31.