Rahul Gandhi writes to PM, asks to halt vaccine exports
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an immediate moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine exports and opening up of the vaccination to "everyone who needs it." In the letter, Gandhi also sought more say to the State Governments in vaccine procurement and distribution. The development comes a day after Gandhi questioned the Central Government over COVID-19 vaccines export.
Provide direct income support to the vulnerable sections: Gandhi
Gandhi also asked for a provision of direct income support to the vulnerable sections amid the disastrous second wave of COVID-19 in India, as he extended his support to the vaccination program. "I humbly request you to provide vaccine suppliers with necessary resources to increase manufacturing capacity and place an immediate moratorium on vaccine export," Gandhi said in his letter to the PM.
Fast-track approval of other vaccines as per norms: Gandhi
"Open up vaccination to everyone who needs it," Gandhi demanded, seeking fast-tracking of approval of other vaccines as per norms and guidelines. Gandhi also asked the prime minister to double the central allocation for vaccine procurement from the existing Rs. 35,000 crore and give State Governments a greater say in vaccine procurement and distribution.
More than six crore doses of vaccines have been exported
Gandhi's suggestions came a day after Prime Minister Modi said vaccines will have to be prioritized due to limited supply and lamented that some people were playing politics on the issue. Questioning the government for permitting large-scale exports of vaccines, Gandhi said, "While our nation is facing vaccine starvation, more than six crore doses of vaccines have been exported."
State Governments repeatedly highlighting vaccine shortages
Gandhi alleged that the State Governments were repeatedly highlighting vaccine shortages only to receive intemperate statements by the Union Health Minister. He accused the Health Minister of targeting opposition-ruled states and undercutting cooperative federalism.
Our scientific community's efforts have been undermined: Gandhi
Expressing concern over the rising coronavirus cases Gandhi said that over the last year, the country suffered irreparable losses, made tremendous sacrifices, and yet, it is under a renewed attack by this virus. He said, "This is unfortunate considering our scientific community and vaccine suppliers worked overtime to develop a solution but their efforts are undermined by the Centre's poor implementation and oversight."
PM Modi has called for Tika Utsav from April 11-14
The Congress leader slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that vaccine shortage is a serious problem and not an Utsav. Notably, the Prime Minister on Thursday had appealed to the Chief Ministers from all states and Union Territories to organize a Tika Utsav or vaccine festival from April 11 to April 14 to inoculate as many eligible people as possible without vaccine wastage.
Slow vaccination drive will have catastrophic effects: Gandhi
Lamenting that the vaccination drive is slow, Gandhi claimed at the current rate, it would take years to inoculate 75 percent of the population. "This will have catastrophic effects and will gravely decelerate India's economy," he added.
Hundreds of vaccination centers shut in Pune and Satara
Reportedly, many states, including Maharashtra have warned the Centre over limited COVID-19 vaccines. However, the Centre refuted all claims saying that states should avoid spreading misinformation. Amidst the surge in COVID-19 cases, over a hundred vaccination centers were shut in Pune and Satara, due to a shortage of vaccine stocks on Thursday.
75 vaccination centers in Mumbai suspended inoculation on Friday
In Mumbai, the BMC said that as many as 75 of the 120 centers, mainly at private hospitals, including a jumbo COVID-19 facility in business District BKC, suspended inoculation on Friday morning due to a shortage of doses. The remaining centers are likely to suspend the vaccination drive by afternoon or evening as the available stock is fast depleting.
