THIS REPORT HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH, NEWS TAP’s CONTRIBUTOR FROM KERALA.

Image: ToI/ Edits: News Tap Global

Kerala CM writes to Prime Minister for free supply of vaccine to states:

On 20/04/2021, the state recorded the highest single-day rise with 19000+ new cases since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Pinarayi Vijayan, in his letter to PM, pointed out the centres April 19 vaccine policy, in which fifty per cent of the monthly doses produced in the country is for the union government and others for the states, and the open market will put an additional burden on states finances. Hence, these should be distributed free of cost.

He highlighted the shortage of vaccine and pointed out financial restraint in the Centre’s proposal to states to buy some doses directly from manufacturers at a pre-determined price.

CM also welcomed the decision of the union government to give the vaccine to those above 18 years of age. “The state governments have a constitutional obligation in the health sector and need an assured quota of the Covid-19 vaccine, which has to be provided free in the pandemic situation. Vaccines must be provided to the states as a public good, free of cost,” Pinarayi Vijayan wrote.

He also pointed out the additional financial burden face by the state due to the handling of the pandemic and urged again to give vaccines free of cost. “I want to note that we had requested 50 lakh doses of vaccine to implement our vaccination plan. We have received only 5.5 lakh doses, due to which we have been constrained to stop on-the-spot registration affecting our effort to deal with the rapid surge,” .”The open market distributors may be permitted to have a specified quota of vaccine for which affordable price has to be fixed so that unscrupulous players do not exploit the public,” Vijayaadded.

But during last year, especially in December, Pinarayi Vijayan said that vaccines to be freely provided for Kerala people. And now he is urging the central government to give the vaccine free of cost. Many people are asking why he changed his mind or was it all election propaganda. Let us wait and see.

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