COVID Vaccination: Aadhaar Not Mandatory On CoWIN, Govt Tells SC

New Delhi: The Union government told Supreme Court on Monday that Aadhaar card is not mandatory to register for vaccination on CoWIN portal.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare submitted to a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant that nine ID documents have been listed — including Aadhaar card, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN card, Voter’s card, Ration card – from which any one can be produced for vaccination.

Supreme Court was hearing a petition which claimed that Aadhaar was being insisted on for administering COVID vaccination on CoWIN portal. The court dismissed the PIL filed by Siddharthshankar Sharma.

“Pursuant to this court’s order dated October 1, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has filed an affidavit which records that Aadhaar card is not mandatory for registration on CoWIN portal and one of the nine identity documents can be produced… It is also recorded in the affidavit that a provision has been made for other category of persons who may not have identity cards in their possession like prison inmates, inmates at mental health institutions etc,” the bench said.

The government counsel also told the court that about 87 lakh people without ID cards have been vaccinated.

The petitioner had stated he was denied vaccine for non-production of Aadhaar card. In the affidavit, that grievance has been addressed with the Health ministry writing a letter to Principal Secretary, Health, in Maharashtra to take action against the concerned private vaccination centre.

“The grievance of the petitioner is duly met. All concerned authorities to act in accordance with the policy of the government,” the court said.