The Centre said the vaccine, which is already being produced beyond the manpower and infra capacity, is also being exported in view of the pandemic
A medic collects swab sample of students following a surge in cases, at NMKRV PU College in Bengaluru, on Monday. Pic/PTI
The Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday that it may not be desirable to create a separate class of judges, lawyers and court staff below the age of 45 for administering the COVID-19 vaccine on priority basis. It said the vaccine, which is already being produced beyond the manpower and infrastructural capacity, is also being exported in view of the pandemic.
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A bench of Chief Justice Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that it would consider the plea, seeking inclusion of judges, judicial staff and lawyers in the priority category for the COVID-19 vaccine, on March 18. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the government reply has been filed.
Fear of discrimination
The Centre in its affidavit said, “It may not be desirable to create a separate class consisting of lawyers and others below 45 years of age and discriminating persons engaged in other trade, profession or business and working under similar geographic conditions and circumstances as such a classification would necessarily lead to discrimination.” “As there are several other trade, business or profession who directly deal with the health, help and assist a common-man to provide his day-to-day requirements and are working in a small space with a large number. Thus it may not be appropriate to discriminate them as against a separate class of lawyers as both are doing their respective duties towards the citizens under similar circumstances.”
Senior advocates Harish Salve, appearing for Serum Institute of India, and Mukul Rohatgi, representing Bharat Biotech, said that different high courts are seeking data as how many vaccines are being produced and when will it be given to all. Rohatgi said this was a very important matter and they have filed a petition seeking transfer of all cases before the HCs to the SC. The bench said it will take up the transfer petition on March 18 itself.
26,291 new cases
India recorded 26,291 new COVID-19 cases and 118 deaths on Monday, its highest single-day spike in 85 days, according to Union health ministry data as of 8 am.
Shots for mentally ill: Delhi HC seeks Centre’s response
The Delhi High Court on Monday sought response of the Centre on a plea seeking to include people suffering from mental illness in the list of specified comorbidities that will help them get the COVID-19 vaccine on priority basis.
The HC issued notice to the Centre, Central Mental Health Authority and National Expert Group of Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 and sought their responses and listed the matter for further hearing on April 30.
1,13,85,339
Total number of cases in the country as of today
1,58,725
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India
1,10,07,352
Patients recovered and discharged in india as of today
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