The Centre’s policy of paid vaccination for thosebetween 18 and 44 years is "arbitrary and irrational, the Supreme Courthas said in a sharply worded order that raises tough questions for thegovernment.
Thefive main points from the order are: Our Constitution does not envisage courtsto be silent spectators when constitutional rights of citizen are infringed byexecutive policies; Clarify how the Rs 35,000 crore earmarked in the Unionbudget for procuring vaccines have been spent so far and why they cannot beutilised for vaccinating persons aged 18-44 years; File a detailed affidavitgiving complete data in the purchase history of all vaccines till date -Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V; The Supreme Court asks for dates of allprocurement orders, number of doses ordered, projected date of supply; and Thecourt asks the Centre to place on record a roadmap of projected availability ofvaccines till December 31.
