Affidavit filed by Central Government in Supreme Court on November 29, 2021 has overruled the order passed by Mr. Sitaram Kunte, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Government, on November 28, 2021

Affidavit filed by Central Government in Supreme Court on November 29, 2021 has overruled the order passed by Mr. Sitaram Kunte, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Government, on November 28, 2021

• The affidavit has made it clear that the orders, GR, SOPs issued by Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala and any other state government, District Collector about vaccine mandates are illegal.
• Supreme Court has asked the petitioner to add all the states who are issuing such mandates, as party Respondentin the case.

Central Government has once again made it clear that vaccines are not mandatory and it is not connected with any benefit any services. The affidavit filed by Central Government before Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter between Dr. Jacob Puliyel Vs. Union of India Writ Petition (Civil) No. 607 Of 2021 is loud proof that Maharashtra and other governments are acting illegally.

In the Counter Affidavit filed by Dr. P.B.N. Prasad, working as Joint Drugs Controller (India), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on 28th November 2021, the relevant Paragraph 64 reads as under;

“64. In so far as the Petitioner’s submissions regarding Covid 19 vaccine being mandatory, as per the Operational Guidelines document, COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary. However, it is emphasised and encouraged that all individuals take vaccination for public health and in his/ her interest as well as public interest since in case of pandemic, an individual’s ill health has a direct effect on the society. Covid-19 vaccination is also not linked to any benefits or services. Therefore, any submissions made by the Petitioner to the contrary, in so far as the Answering Respondents are concerned, is denied.”