Bombay HC to BMC: Don't wait for Centre's permission, we'll allow you to do door to door vaccination

India is currently dealing with a devastating second Covid-19 wave that has swept through the nation, crushing the country's health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers. The outbreak of the second wave of corona is being witnessed across the country. Although the number of new covid cases appears to be declining but deaths due to the virus are on the rise. Vaccination is said to be the best way to control coronavirus.

While hearing a petition filed in the Bombay High Court in this regard, the court has slammed the Central Government, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has refused to vaccinate at home. BMC has stated in its affidavit submitted to the High Court that it will vaccinate once the guidelines for the same are issued by Central Government.

The Bombay High Court has expressed its displeasure over the role of BMC in vaccinating elderly and disabled citizen. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni asked the civic body was willing to do door to door vaccination. If the civic body was willing, the court would grant permission irrespective of the Centre's permission.

"Can you do door to door vaccination? If you can, we will allow you. Come to help old residents. Don't wait for central government to give permission," the bench observed.

Today, people have to stand in line for hours to get vaccinated. That includes senior citizens. Apart from this, in some cases, even after booking online, people have to go back home again due to vaccine shortage after visiting the center. What's going on? In fact, the government should have rushed to the people and vaccinated them instead of making such a fuss, the High Court observed.

The High Court has been asking the government a number of questions. Do you have any statistics on the side effects after getting the jab, the immediate effects of vaccination on a person's health? Do you have any details? Now the government has gained experience in vaccination. The HC said the state could look at the vaccination model followed by western countries. So why doesn't the central government think about it? The hearing has been adjourned till June 2.