US ban on export of vaccine material hampering production: CPI(M)
The CPI(M) urged the US on Saturday to lift its ban on the export of vaccine material, alleging that it has hampered the production of vaccines in India due to a shortage of such materials. In a statement, the politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the stand of the Joe Biden-led US administration is one of doublespeak.
SII has been drawing attention to the issue
Much of the materials such as filters, solutions, and plastic bags come from the United States. But the US administration banned the export under its Defense Production Act. Despite requests by the Indian authorities, no exemption has been given for the export. The biggest vaccine manufacturer in India, the Serum Institute of India, has been drawing attention to this problem for quite some time.
Safe, efficient vaccine production was committed to at Quad summit
The Left party pointed out a joint statement issued by the member countries of the Quad summit held on March 12 stated, "We will join forces to expand safe, affordable, and effective vaccine production." Further, the US promised to finance the production of vaccines by an Indian company, Biological E Limited, to help India become a hub of vaccine production in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi government should ensure Biden administration keeps its word: CPI(M)
"The ban on exports of materials used in vaccine production goes completely against Quad's aims. The Modi government, which sets many stores on the Quad alliance, must ensure that the Biden administration keeps to its committed word and ensure the supply of vaccine material to India," the CPI(M) said. India, US, Australia, and Japan are the member countries of the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition.
India has registered over 1.45 crore coronavirus cases
A record single-day rise of 2,34,692 cases and 1,341 fatalities have pushed India's COVID-19 tally to 1,45,26,609 and the death toll due to the viral disease to 1,75,649. Registering a steady increase for the 38th day in a row, COVID-19 cases have climbed to 16,79,740, accounting for 11.56 percent of its total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 87.23 percent.
