The order was issued in view of the increasing threat to the health and well-being of human mankind posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and upcoming State Assembly Election, 2022, said the order.
TFM Desk
Bishnupur Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar on Saturday issued an order to all district-level officers (DLOs) saying it is mandatory for all government employees including Head of Office except some exceptional cases (Comorbidity and other health issues) to receive Covid vaccination.
It urged all district-level officers (DLOs) to direct the officials/staffs to get vaccinated against coronavirus by August 31, 2021. In case of non-compliance of this instruction, salary of un-vaccinated officials/staffs may be put on hold from next month i.e. September, 2021 till the time they get vaccinated, it added.
The DC further said compliance reports of vaccination of all Officials/staffs may be submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner Bishnupur.
The order was issued in view of the increasing threat to the health and well-being of human mankind posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and upcoming State Assembly Election, 2022, he said.
It may be mentioned that an interim order of the High Court of Manipur is still in force against linking vaccination to employment. The interim order was issued on July 13, 2021 following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Osbert Khaling. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 23, 2021. “Earlier interim order will continue till then,” said the HC order issued on August 9.
According to the HC interim order still in force, the 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. Restraining people who are yet to get vaccinated from opening institutions, organizations, factories, shops, etc., or denying them their livelihood by linking their employment, be it NREGA job card holders or workers in Government or private projects, to their getting vaccinated would be illegal on the part of the State, if not unconstitutional. Such a measure would also trample upon the freedom of the individual to get vaccinated or choose not to do so.