Aadhar not required on CoWin for Covid vaccination: Centre to SC

The Supreme Court on Monday directed all authorities concerned to follow the government policy after the Centre clarified that the Aadhaar card is not required for registration on the CoWIN portal to obtain vaccination services, and that it is only one of nine documents that can be used for the purpose.

A case was being heard by a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant, who claimed that an Aadhaar card was required for giving Covid-19 immunisation via the CoWIN site.

“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 pointed out.

Among the nine identity documents are passport, driving licence, PAN card, voter’s identity card and ration card.

The court said that the counsel appearing for the Centre had submitted that “about 87 lakh people without ID cards have been vaccinated”.

Disposing of the plea, the court said, “The grievance of the petitioner that he was denied vaccination for non-production of Aadhaar card has also been dealt in the affidavit. The Health Ministry addressed a letter to Principal Secretary, Health, in Maharashtra to take action against the private vaccination centre which denied vaccination to the petitioner despite production of valid passport ID.

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

The petitioner claimed that insisting on Aadhaar breaches Article 21 and 14 of the Constitution’s basic rights.