The Madras High Court asked the Government of Tamil Nadu to file a detailed report indicating how it proposes to vaccinate various categories of differently-abled people across the state.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, while hearing the plea pertaining to vaccination for differently-abled in the state, noted: “It is hoped that a more detailed report will be filed by the state indicating how various categories of differently-abled people are proposed to be vaccinated, including those who are unable to leave their homes and maybe in distant parts of the State.”
Pursuant to a direction issued by the Court on June 7, 2021, wherein the State was asked to apprise the court as to the initiatives proposed to be taken by the Government to deal with the issue of vaccination for differently-abled, a status report was filed by the State.
However, the Court pointed out that the said report is “completely vague and does not make any distinction between several classes of differently abled persons, particularly those who are homebound and completely unable to travel outside.” In light of the above, the Bench directed the State to file a more detailed report.
The Bench further directed the State to prepare a list of comprehensive set of instructions to be issued to appropriate State Officials in this regard and to append the same with the status report. The matter has been deferred to June 30, 2021.
The plea had been filed by Advocate M. Karpagam seeking the framing of a SOP for vaccination of homebound persons, persons with disability, persons at institutions, nursing homes, or otherwise unable to attend vaccination centres.
On the last date of hearing, the court observed that there are several sections of citizens who require special attention and a detailed study is required to be conducted as to the initiatives to be taken to deal with such vulnerable classes.