Meghalaya High Court: The Division Bench of Biswanath Somadder, CJ. and H.S. Thangkhiew, J. heard a PIL which was filed with two primary issues. The first issue was with regard to the mandatory vaccination which was dealt by the order dated 23-06-2021. The other issue was with regard to the method of implementation of the Government Welfare Schemes meant for the marginalized section of the society in the State of Meghalaya.
The Court was informed by the Registry that the Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities have prepared extensive reports; a summary whereof shall be forwarded by the Registry to the Advocate General and the concerned authority of the State of Meghalaya so that they can respond to the same on the next date.
The Court observed that in respect of the vaccination policy presently adopted by the State of Meghalaya and particularly in remote villages, there were eligible persons who cannot be vaccinated simply because they do not possess any AADHAAR Card.
The Court thus requested the State not to insist on production of AADHAAR Card as the only proof of identity since there were other recognised options available to citizens of India to present their proofs of identity.[Registrar General v. State of Meghalaya, PIL No.6 of 2021, decided on 24-08-2021]
Suchita Shukla, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.