HC directs ACS, H&ME to file affidavit, indicating therein the steps for ensuring vaccination of the disabled persons
JKUT (Srinagar), June-30-2021-( JNF):- Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey today directed Additional Chief Secreatry Health and Medical Education Department to file affidavit, indicating therein the steps for ensuring vaccination of the disabled persons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Court further directed that the affidavit shall be filed by or before next date of hearing.
This significant order has been passed in a petition filed by Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline seeking direction to the respondents to treat all the persons with disabilities as special category and direct the respondents to ensure vaccination of all the disabled persons in terms of the policy of Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as also that of Government of Union Territory of J&K. The petitioners have made reference to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which enables all persons with disabilities certain benefits on priority basis.
During the course of hearing Adv Syed Musaib, appearing for the petitioners submits that despite having approached the respondents in the shape of representations, no effective action is taken for vaccination of the disabled persons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which formed a ground for seeking indulgence of this Court in the present writ petition. He further submits that the vaccination of the persons with disabilities has become necessary because of threat to their life on account of large number of them getting tested positive because of not being able to adhere to the SOPs.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey after hearing counsel for the petitioners observed that before proceeding further in the matter, it has become necessary to seek response from the respondents for the claim made in the petition and directed Additional Chief Secreatry Health and Medical Education Department to file affidavit, indicating therein the steps for ensuring vaccination of the disabled persons. JNF