Supreme Court to intervene in vaccination policy, lockdowns

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday suggested that state governments will be given the power to declare lockdowns to contain the pandemic. 

The apex court also touched upon three other topics: It said that there needs to be a national plan dealing with these three issues: Supply of oxygen, supply of essential drugs, and method and manner of vaccination. 

Live Law reported that the SC also appreciated that six High Courts have taken action in recent times. It’s not clear what exactly it was in reference to. 

This is nothing but judicial overreach of the worst sort. Covid-related issues are complex. The supply of oxygen, which seems to be a simple issue, is fraught with complex realities concerning distribution and transport. Will the SC ask the Centre and different States to cooperate with each other? Or will it order the setting up of oxygen units in Tier 2 cities. A lot of questions arise. 

But the vaccination policy is even more complex. There are murmurs from sections of civil society to make them free for all. Will SC force the government to get populist at the cost of the well-being of manufacturers? Questions abound.