Pondy guv tones down vax message

Pondy guv tones down vax message

Tamilisai: I Said Necessary Not Mandatory

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Puducherry:17.09.2021

Union territory of Puducherry Lieutenant governor (additional charge) Tamilisai Soundararajan's statement on Thursday that government servants should have taken their Covid-19 vaccination before they get their salaries created a flutter. “If people want government benefits, those distributed during festivals, they should have taken their shots. How can they enjoy it if they fall sick,” asked the governor, participating in an event in Puducherry.

Civil rights' activists termed Tamilisai's comment 'unconstitutional' and cited a high court order that declared that the state cannot deny welfare schemes to the people, who have not taken the Covid vaccination. “I never said it was mandatory,” the governor told TOI. “Two months ago, I told govt servants that before they get their salaries, they should have taken the vaccination. I said 18+ students taking their examinations should have their vaccination certificates. My view is that everyone should take their shots,” she said.

At least 65% of the adult population in the Union Territory have taken their shots, said the governor. “In two weeks’ time we hope the entire UT would be vaccinated,” she said. Flagging off a cycle expedition on Thursday to create awareness among the public to get vaccinated for Covid-19 infection, the governor urged the people to extend support to the vaccination drive and make Puducherry a 100% vaccinated territory before October 2. "I strongly object to this arbitrary move by the lg. This is unconstitutional. A high court has held that the state cannot deny welfare measures for such whims. Several poor people depend on these government schemes," said civil rights' activist Saurav Das.

Das cited a Manipur high court order, which said, "State cannot seek to impose conditions upon the citizens so as to compel them to get vaccinated, be it by holding out a threat or by putting them at a disadvantage for failing to get vaccinated." "For the past one week, the vaccination drive has slackened in the Union Territory. As a doctor I am worried. The core of my talk was that if it is necessary, compel people, plead or persuade them to take their vaccination. Don’t interpret it as if it is something undemocratic. This is for the good of the people,” said the governor, adding that the number of cases were increasing again in Puducherry and that 95% of those admitted to ICU with Covid had not been vaccinated.