Benny Antony Parel V. Union of India and State of Kerala and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala and Registrar General High Court of Kerala and Registrar (District Judiciary) High Court of Kerala

WP(C)/11312/2021

AI Insights

The case revolves around a writ petition filed by Benny Antony Parel, a practicing advocate, seeking to include judicial officers and lawyers in the frontline category for Covid vaccination on a priority basis. The petition highlighted the essential role of lawyers and judicial officers in administering justice, especially during the pandemic, and drew parallels with other states like Chhattisgarh, which had recognized lawyers as frontline workers. The Kerala High Court, acknowledging the critical role of lawyers and judicial officers, directed the government to include them in the vaccination priority list. Subsequent government orders complied with this directive, leading to the disposal of the writ petition.

• Counselvise Citation: [2021] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 807366 (HC-KERALA)
• Appeal Type: Others
• Pronouncement Date: 04-08-2021
• Assessment Year: misc
• Result in Favour of: Others
• Court: HIGH COURT
• Department Lawyers: P VIJAYAKUMAR; SUNIL JOSE
• Assessee Lawyers: SAIBY KINDANGOOR; K ANAND; S PARVATHY VIJAYAN; MOHAMMED M; T MUHAMED HAFEES
• Keywords: Judicial Officers; Covid vaccination; Frontline workers; Lawyers; Priority category

Judgement Text

"IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.S.MANIKUMAR & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SHAJI P.CHALY WEDNESDAY, THE 4TH DAY OF AUGUST 2021 / 13TH SRAVANA, 1943 WP(C) NO. 11312 OF 2021 PETITIONER/S: BENNY ANTONY PAREL AGED 52 YEARS ADVOCATE, S/O.P.J. ANTONY, PROVIDENCE GROVE, 7C PROVIDENCE JUNCTION, ERNAKULAM 682 018 BY ADVS. SAIBY JOSE KIDANGOOR SRI.K.ANAND SMT.S.SIBHA KUM.PARVATHY VIJAYAN SRI.MOHAMMED SALIH. M SRI.T.M.MUHAMED HAFEES RESPONDENTS: 1 UNION OF INDIA REP.BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, NEW DELHI 110 001. 2 THE STATE OF KERALA REP.BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001. 3 THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE REP.BY THE ITS SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001. 4 ADDL.R4 & R5 IMPLEADED: THE REGISTRAR GENERAL HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM – 682 031. 5 ADDL.R5. THE REGISTRAR (DISTRICT JUDICIARY) HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM – 682 031. ADDL. R4 AND R5 ARE SUO MOTU IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 24.05.2021 IN WPC. BY ADVS. SHRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA ADVOCATE GENERAL SUNIL JACOB JOSE THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04.08.2021, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 2 : Dated this the 4th day of August, 2021. JUDGMENT S. MANIKUMAR,CJ. A practicing advocate has filed the instant writ petition with the following prayers: 1. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents 1 to 3 to include the judicial officers and lawyers in the front line category (priority group) for Covid vaccination and other covid related treatment on priority basis. 2. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents 1 to 3 to expand the definition of frontline workers to vaccinate (Corona Vaccination) the judicial officers and lawyers on priority basis. 3. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents to pass appropriate orders on Exts. P5 and P6 forthwith. 2. Having regard to the averments, a Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court on 24th May, 2021 passed the following order: “The above writ petition is filed seeking inclusion of Judicial Officers and Lawyers in the priority category for vaccination against COVID 19. The learned Counsel for the petitioner points out the declaration of the State Government of Chhattisgarh recognizing Journalists and Lawyers as front line W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 3 : workers. We were also informed that the officials and staff engaged in running the High Court of Delhi have been recognized as front line warriors considering the requirement for their presence in the High Court to 'keep the wheels of justice whirring' (sic), though the hearings are carried out virtually. A similar situation exists in this Court also. 2. We have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the State Attorney. We are told that even in this State the Journalists have been prioritized for vaccination. While we agree with the petitioners that the Lawyers, who are the most important conduit for the general public in accessing justice; prioritization has to be made taking into consideration those in active practice. In this context we have to notice that though no specific prayer is made it could apply to Advocate Clerks also on a need-to basis depending on the actual engagement, warranting exposure to the pandemic. 3. As far as the Judicial Officers are concerned; which in the Subordinate Judiciary of this State stands at a total strength of less than 500, it is pertinent to remind the State Government that during the initial lock-down period and the present one, as also in between when the pandemic was spreading unabated; the Courts were and are still functioning. Though restrictions were placed so as to avoid crowding, matters were taken up daily in every Court functioning within the State and even during the lock-down period the presence of the Judicial Officers and skeletal staff were required as per the administrative instructions of the High Court. In this context, we notice that the entire W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 4 : employees of the State Government were automatically registered for vaccination through SPARK, the application employed for disbursement of salaries, though the same was done in the wake of elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State. But for those who voluntarily opted out, almost the entire work force of the State has been inoculated. The staff of the Subordinate Courts in every Districts and the employees of the Registry of this Court are also paid by the State Government though the control and supervision is on the High Court by virtue of the Constitutional provisions. It is only proper that the Judicial Officers and the Staff of the Registry of the High Court and the Subordinate Courts in the State be inoculated so as to enable them to safely function, ensuring every citizen access to justice. 4. The High Court, on the administrative side has constituted Committees at every District centers with the Principal District Judge as the Chairman to look into the requirements of the Judicial Officers, the Staff members, the Advocates and Advocate Clerks afflicted with the disease. The State Attorney shall ensure that the District Collectors take up the matter of inoculation of the Staff of the Subordinate Courts with the Principle District Judges of each District and device methods to provide inoculation to the Judicial Officers and the staff of the Subordinate Courts in the 14 Districts on a priority basis. The registration could be automatically facilitated through the salary disbursal application, SPARK which is the application used for disbursal of salary to the judicial staff also. 5. Like wise the Registry of the High Court has been W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 5 : functioning prior to the present lock-down in full strength and even in circumstances wherein the advisories of the Government stipulated lesser staff strength. The entire staff were employed on a rotation basis exposing them to a possible infection, though not on a daily basis. Even in the circumstances of a triple lock-down within the District of Ernakulam the Registry was functioning with 25% staff strength as in the District Judiciary. For the High Court and its staff a Committee has been constituted with the Registrar (Administration) as its Chairman. We are of the opinion that the State Government should prioritize the Staff of the High Court as in the case of the staff of the Subordinate Courts considering their exposure to the pandemic; and we direct to facilitate the same. 6. To facilitate further action in the above matter we deem it fit that the Registrar General and Registrar (District Judiciary) be impleaded as additional respondents 4 and 5 herein, who shall respectively take up the matter of inoculation of the entire staff of the Registry of the High Court and the Judicial Officers and staff of the Subordinate Courts. A report on the action taken shall be placed by the 2nd respondent and the additional respondents 4 and 5 within a period of two weeks from today.7. As far as the Advocates in the State are concerned the State Government in consultation with the representatives of the Advocate Association and the Bar Council of Kerala shall device a method by which the Advocates enrolled with the Bar Council who are in active practice and the Clerks enrolled with the Advocate Clerks Welfare Fund and are regularly employed with Advocates having W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 6 : actual practice are identified and provided inoculation with expedience.” 3. Subsequently, when the matter came up for consideration on 3rd June, 2021, another Hon'ble Division Bench has passed the following order: “Read order dated 24.05.2021. 2. Today, the learned Government Pleader, in response to the above order would submit that the Government has passed an order on 2.06.2021, to include the judicial officers and staff of the High Court and Subordinate Courts in the priority category for Covid 19 vaccination. 3. According to the learned counsel Sri. Saiby Jose Kindangoor, the very idea of including the judicial officers and the staff in the priority category is to ensure that timely justice is rendered to the public. However, it is submitted that the Government remains oblivious to the plight of the lawyers and clerks, who are indispensable part of administration of justice. It is pointed out by the learned counsel that it is because of the intervention of the Court that timely justice has been rendered to the citizens even during the period of pandemic. The learned counsel further submitted that without the lawyers and clerks, any inclusion of judicial officers and staff of the High Court and Subordinate Courts in the priority category would become meaningless. 4. The learned Government Pleader seeks time to get further instructions from the Government in this regard. 5. The administration of justice even during the period of W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 7 : pandemic is a big challenge for the judicial institutions.Today, many of the directions issued by the Courts in this country have come to the rescue of the citizens who have been deprived of many essential supplies including vaccine. In administration of justice, lawyers and clerks have equal participation and without their active participation, the institution cannot discharge their duties. If the Government has decided to give priority to the judicial officers and staff of the High Court and Subordinate Courts, for the same reason, the practicing lawyers and the clerks should also be given priority, as they are indispensable part of dispensation of justice and without their participation, it is impossible for the institution to function. 6. As rightly, pointed out by the learned counsel Sri. Saiby Jose Kindangoor, the entire exercise of including judicial officers and staffs in the High Court and Subordinate Courts in the priority category would become meaningless if practicing lawyers and clerks are not included. 7. In the light of fact that the Government has already included the judicial officers and staff of the judiciary in the priority category, we are of the considered view that the practicing lawyers and clerks also can be included as otherwise the very purpose of inclusion of the judicial officers and staffs would become meaningless. The benefit need to be given only to lawyers and clerks who are actually engaged in the practice. The Government can devise any modalities to find out such lawyers and clerks. Therefore, we direct the Government to include the practicing lawyers and clerks in the priority category for Covid 19 vaccination along with the judicial officers and other staffs in the light of W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 8 : Government Order dated 2.6.2021. Needful shall be done within a period of 10 days. In fact, this being a public interest litigation, we also need to highlight certain aspects related to the senior citizens. One of the brother Judges of this Court Mr.Justice A.K.Jayasankaran Nambiar has pointed out the plight of senior citizens who are living alone and who have no assistance from others. The learned Judge pointed out an instance of death of a senior citizen in Palakkad due to Covid, who could not get timely care and attention of the health department. Under Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, a duty is cast upon the State to ensure medical support to the senior citizen. The learned Judge also pointed out that the Janamaithri Police, in fact, made such enquiry in Ernakulam District to enquire about the well-being of his own mother, who is living alone. However, it appears it is not being carried out effectively throughout the State. Therefore, the Government has to ensure that the Janamaithri Police or the Station House Officer take details of the senior citizens in their jurisdiction to ensure that timely help is bestowed to senior citizens. It is seen from the Government Order dated 2.6.2021 that the Government included bedridden patients in the priority category for vaccination. If the bedridden patients and senior citizens who cannot move out of home due to illness or any kind of disability, are not vaccinated from their home, the very purpose of such vaccination would be frustrated. It is appropriate that the Government makes every effort to ensure that bedridden patients as well as senior citizens who cannot move out are provided vaccination at their residence itself. W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 9 : Appropriate decision shall be taken in this regard within ten days. Post after two weeks.” 4. On this day, when the matter came up for hearing, Mr. Saiby Jose Kindangoor, learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the Government have issued G.O. (RT.) No. 1204/2021/H&FWD dated 07.06.2021, to include the judicial officers, practising lawyers, staff members and clerks in the priority list for Covid vaccination and therefore, nothing survives in the writ petition. Said Government Order reads thus: GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Abstract Health and Family Welfare Department - Priority Vaccination to all bedridden patients as well as senior citizens at their residence- Orders of Hon’ble Court - Complied- Orders issued. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (F) DEPARTMENT G.O.(Rt.) No. 1204/2021/H&FWD Dated, Thiruvananthapurs 07/06/2021 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read: 1. G.O (Rt) No. 1179/2021/H&FWD dated 02/06/2021. 2. Order of Hon'ble High Court 1n WP (C) No. 11312/2021 dated 03/06/2021. 3. Note No. NHM/3821/ADMIN/2020/SPMSU from the State Mission Director, National Health Mission. W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 10 : ORDER As per Government Order read as 1st above Government have notified 13 (Thirteen) more categories as Front Line workers for prioritization for Covid-19 vaccination in the age group of 18-45 years. As per the order read as 2nd above the Hon'ble High Court has directed the following: • To include the practicing lawyers and clerks in the priority category for Covid19 vaccination along with the judicial officers and other staffs in the light of Government Order dated 02/6/2021. The benefit need to be given only to lawyers and clerks who are actually engaged in the practice. • To ensure that the Janamaithri Police or the Station House Officer take details of the senior citizens in their jurisdiction to ensure that timely help is bestowed to senior citizens. • To ensure that bedridden patients as well as senior citizens who cannot move out are provided vaccination at their residence itself. 2. Also, as per the note read as 3rd above, the State Mission Director, National Health Mission has requested to issue guidance for Covid vaccination of the bedridden persons as MoHFW has given directions not to conduct house to house vaccinations. Both Covid vaccines, Covishield as well as Covaxin, do not follow open vial policy and hence the shifting of the vaccine to many homes remain a challenge. The recommendations of State Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (STAGI) in this regard have also been forwarded for issuing guidance for Covid vaccination of the bedridden persons. 3. Government examined the matter in detail and are pleased to include the category practicing lawyers and lawyer clerks' also in the priority group for Covid 19 vaccination in the age group of l8-45 years and also to issue the W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 11 : following guidance in vaccinating all bedridden patients as well as senior citizens. who cannot move out of home due to illness or any kind of disability, at their residence itself. I. The State will vaccinate the bedridden and debilitated patients, who can't be moved out and those for whom mobilizing might worsen their present health condition, at their residence. II. The list of such beneficiaries will be prepared in advance after ensuring that there are no contra indications for Covid-19 vaccination (as per existing Guidelines) and after obtaining an informed signed consent in the prescribed format. III.An ambulance with necessary emergency AEFI management kit (Inj. Adrenaline, Inj. Hydrocortisone, IVN, Saline/Ringer Lactate, ambu bag with mask, IV canula. Drip set, Syringes, needles BP apparatus, Pulse Oximeter and Dosage Chart ) and Medical Personnel should be kept in the vicinity for any emergency management. IV.Each House visit team will have a Medical Officer, Vaccinator and support staff (ASHA/AWW/Volunteer). All of them should wear Surgical Gown, N95 Mask, Face Shield and Gloves. Before and after examining/vaccinating the beneficiary, hand sanitization should be done as per protocol. (PPE Kit is opitional). V. During the House visit, Medical Officer will examine the beneficiary to assess the general condition and fitness for vaccination. VI.A trained personnel (JPHN/ANM/Staff Nurse) only will vaccinate the beneficiary. VII. One person (ASHA, AWW, Volunteer) will be deployed at the residence to observe the vaccinated for a minimum of 30 minutes for any AEFI. In case of any uneasiness or reactions, he/she should immediately inform the Medical Officer with the team/ambulance team. W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 12 : VIII. For the next 48 hours, the beneficiary should be telephonically followed up and a contact number should be shared with them for any emergency contact. IX. These beneficiaries may be further followed up for a period of 3 weeks by the Palliative care team of the concerned Health Care Institution. 4. The Director General of Police & State Police Chief, Kerala shall ensure that the Janamaithri Police or the Station House Officer is collecting the details of Senior Citizens in their respective jurisdiction and timely help is bestowed to them. (By Order of the Governor) Rajan Namdev Khobragade Principal Secretary” 5. Subsequently, the Government have issued G.O. (Rt.) No. 1461/2021/H&FWD dated 13.07.2021 and the same is extracted hereunder: GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Abstract Health and Family Welfare Department - Prioritization for Vaccination above 18 years - Modified - Orders issued. HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (F) DEPARTMENT G.O.(Rt)No.1461/2021/H&FWD Dated,Thiruvananthapuram, 13/07/2021 Read 1 G.O (Rt)No. 1102/2021/H&FWD dated 19/05/2021. 2 G.O (Rt)No. 1114/2021/H&FWD dated 24/05/2021. 3 G.O (Rt)No. 1179/2021/H&FWD dated 02/06/2021. W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 13 : 4 G.O (Rt)No. 1204/2021/H&FWD dated 07/06/2021. 5 G.O (Rt)No. 1355/2021/H&FWD dated 25/06/2021. 6 G.O (Rt)No. 1418/2021/H&FWD dated 05/07/2021. 7 G.O (Rt)No. 1427/2021/H&FWD dated 06/07/2021. ORDER As per Government Orders read above, Government have notified 65 categories as Front Line Workers for prioritization for Covid19 vaccination in the age group of 18 - 45 years. As per Government Order read as 5th above, Government issued orders to set 18 years and above as one block and within this already prioritized categories listed in the previous Government Orders will continue. 2. Government received many requests from various Departments/Institutions and also from General Public for vaccination priority. Government have examined that matter in detail and are pleased to notify the following categories too in the priority group for Covid19 vaccination in the age group of 18 years and above. (1) Officers / staff of insurance companies, NPCI payment system providers / operators / vendors, cash logistic companies/ cash-in transit companies / ATM maintenance personnel, Banking Correspondents (BCs) and Customer Service Points (CSPs) (2) Kerala co-operative employees. (3) Employees of LIC (4) Employees of Agappe Diagnostics Ltd. (5) Oil sector employees (6) Employees of National Highway Authority of India (7) Inmates of orphanages and old age homes (8) Revenue staff (9) Staff of religious centres (10) Staff of Institute of Cost Accountants of India W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 14 : (11) Customs officers working in seaports and airports (12) Officers/officials/staff,etc. who are working with children or may come in contact with children residing in CCIs/ Residential schools/ schools/ Tribal school hostels (including Government and private) etc. or any other facility accommodating children. (13) Committed Social Workers (CSW5) and promoters in SC/ST Colonies (14) Staff of Kerala Books and Publications Society (15) Staff of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (16) Staff of Regional passport offices (17) Staff of Telecom service providers and Telecom infrastructure providers (18) Employees of KSFE (19) Employees of LSGIs (20) Cable TV Operators (21) Officers of Income Tax Department (22) Workers engaged with selling/ servicing of ambulances (23) Employees of Petronet LNG Limited (24) Staff in various categories under Local Self Government Department such as Ward level committee members, Sannadhasena & Volunteers, Sanitation workers, Harithakarma Sena, drivers of vehicles assigned for Covid duty and local officers working on the ground as front line workers who have not been vaccinated yet. (25) Law Officers and staff members of Advocate General's Office (26) Staff of electrical shops (27) Field staff of Agriculture Department (28) Employees of ICTT Vallarpadam (29) Employees of PPP operators at Port hospitals (30) Employees of ESI Corporation (31) Prisoners W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 15 : (32) Employees of Govt. Central Press and Department of Printing and Stationery (33) Officers and staff of Central Water Commission. (34) Professional students of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (35) Staff of Kerala Public Service Commission (36) Coastal residents (37) Private Security Industry staff (38) Menial Workers collecting waste from household and residential complexes. (39) Staff of Additional Skill Acquisition Programme project. (40) Motor Workers. (41) Employees of Dairy Department, Milma and Dairy Co- operative Society. (42) Staff of Kerala Feeds Limited (43) Employees of Treasury (44) Pharmaceutical company field staff (45) Staff of Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (46) Staff of All India Indane distributors (47) Employees of Central Warehousing Corporation (48) Chartered Accountants (49) Staff of Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (50) Staff of Self Financing Colleges (51) Employees of all registered child care institutions (52) Staff of Museum and Zoo (53) Staff of Centre for Advanced Printing and Training (54) Lottery agents (55) Canteen/ Coffee House employees in Government Secretariat (56) Defence Civilians (57) Students attending skill training classes under ASAP, KASE & ICTAK W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 16 : (58) Employees of Oushadhi (59) Forest Watcher and other conservation division staffs in Forest Department 3. Government Orders read above stands modified to this extent. (By order of the Governor) Rajan Namdev Khobragade Principal Secretary 6. That apart, pursuant to the order of this Court dated 24.05.2021, Registrar General of this Court has submitted a report regarding the measures taken in the matter of vaccination of the judicial officers, staff of the High Court and Subordinate courts, and it reads thus: REPORT ON THE MEASURES TAKEN IN THE MATTER OF INOCULATION/VACCINATION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THE HIGH COURT AND SUBORDINATE COURTS SUBMITTED AS PER DIRECTION IN ORDER DATED 24.05.2021 IN WP(C)No.11312/2021 In accordance with the directions in the order dated 24.05.2021 directing to include the Judicial officers and staff of the Registry of the High Court and Subordinate Courts in priority group for Covid vaccination, the following measures taken for the vaccination of Honourable Judges, Judicial officers and staff of the Registry of the High Court and Subordinate Judiciary are humbly submitted for kind information of the Honourable Court. 2. As per GO (Rt) No. 1179/2021/H&FWD dated 02.06.2021 (Annexure I), W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 17 : Judicial officers and the Staff of the High Court and Subordinate Courts have been included in the priority group for COVID-19 vaccination. Further, as mandated in the guidelines issued by the National Health Mission, regarding Registration, Vaccination and Session planning, Sri T.S. Arun, Public Relations Officer, High Court has been appointed as the Nodal officer for co-ordinating the vaccination activities of the Staff of the High Court who have been included in the priority group notified by the Government, vide High Court proceedings A7- 28644/2021 dated 14.06.2021(Annexure II). VACCINATION MEASURES TAKEN IN THE HIGH COURT 3. As part of the vaccination drive arranged in the High Court, a total of 862 first dose Covishield vaccine have been administered for Honourable Judges and Spouses, Staff members of the High Court, Members of Kerala High Court Advocates' Association, Members of Kerala High Court Advocates' Clerks Association and Staff of Office of the Advocate General, who belonged to the age group above 45 years. 4. Further, a total of 940 first dose Covishield vaccine have been administered for close relatives of Honourable Judges and former Judges of the High Court and Staff of High Court and their close relatives, who belonged to the age group of 18 to 45 years. 5. The details of the aforesaid vaccination drive is tabulated below:- Date of Vaccinatio n Dos e Brand of Vaccine Source of Vaccines Number of Vaccines Administ- ered Beneficiaries Age Group 08/04/2021 First Covishield Dept of Health, Govt.of Kerala 372 Hon'ble Judges of High Court and Spouses, Staff of High Court, members of Kerala High Court Advocates' Association, Who are above 45 years (born on or before 01/01/1977) 09/04/2021 First 490 W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 18 : members of Kerala High Court Advocate's Clerks' Association and Staff of Office of the Advocate General. 08/06/2021 First Covishield Lakshmi Hospital, Kochi 232 Close relatives of Hon'ble Judges and former Judges of High Court and Staff of High Court and their close relatives. 18-45 years 09/06/202 1 First 247 14/06/202 1 First 186 15/06/202 1 First 275 6. Also, the members of staff of the High Court in the age group 18 to 45 years who have not yet been vaccinated have been requested to submit their details to the designated Nodal Officer, Sri T.S. Arun, vide High Court OM P3-106/2021 dated 16.06.2021 (Annexure III). Once the collection of the said data is completed, the same will be uploaded in the website maintained for the purpose by the State Government. On receipt of the data, vaccination drive will be arranged by the Government in the High Court at appropriate time. VACCINATION MEASURES TAKEN IN THE SUBORDINATE COURTS 7. As part of measures taken for the vaccination of Judicial officers and staff of Subordinate Courts, the District Judges have been directed, vide High Court OM D1-3/27275/2020 dated 04.06.2021. (Annexure IV), to take steps for inoculating the Judicial Officers and also the staff both in the Civil and Criminal wings in the Subordinate Judiciary in their respective districts in consultation with the Nodal officers of the Health department. The officers have also been directed to explore the possibility of taking vaccines available on payment basis from hospitals in consultation with the Nodal officers in the Health Department and the W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 19 : hospital concerned.” 7. A perusal of the above shows that besides administering vaccines to the practising lawyers, staff members and clerks of this Court, directions have been given to the District Judges to take steps for inoculating the Judicial Officers and also the staff, both in the civil and criminal wings in the Subordinate Judiciary in their respective districts in consultation with the Nodal Officers of the Health Department. Officers have also been directed to explore the possibility of taking vaccines available on payment basis from hospitals in consultation with the Nodal Officers in the Health Department and the hospital concerned. In view of the above, no further orders are required in this matter. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of recording the Government Orders dated 07.06.2021 and 13.07.2021 and the report submitted by the Registrar General, High Court of Kerala. sd/- S. MANIKUMAR, CHIEF JUSTICE. sd/- SHAJI P. CHALY, JUDGE. Rv W.P.(C) No. 11312/2021 : 20 : APPENDIX OF WP(C) 11312/2021 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE E-NEWSPAPER NEW INDIA EXPRESS DATED 14.5.2021. EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE COVID 19 VACCINATION 2ND DOSE ELIGIBLE PEOPLE PRIORITIZATION VIDE NO. 19/31/F2/2020 HEALTH DATED 28.4.2021 EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE GUIDELINE OF STATE OF KERALA DATED 1.3.2021 EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM DATED 12.5.2021 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA. EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE EMAIL REPRESENTATION TO THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 12.5.2021 EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE EMAIL REPRESENTATION TO THE 2ND AND 3RD RESPONDENTS DATED 12.5.2021 RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS: NIL /True Copy/ PS To Judge. rv "