Amid the ongoing row in between the Centre and some states more than an alleged shortage of vaccines, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning the export of COVID-19 vaccines at a time when the nation is facing a shortage. Rahul Gandhi questioned the massive-scale COVID-19 vaccine exports asking why more than 6 crore doses had been exported when there is a shortage in India.
“There is no clear reason as to why the government permitted large scale exports of vaccines. While our nation is facing vaccine starvation, more than 6 crore doses of vaccines have been exported. The state governments are repeatedly highlighting vaccine shortages only to receive intemperate statements by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare targetting Opposition-ruled states, undercutting cooperative federalism which you too have stressed as essential,” stated Rahul in his letter.
Taking a jibe at Finance Ministry’s move to withdraw the selection of interest price reduce on tiny savings which Nirmala Sitharaman termed an ‘oversight’, Rahul Gandhi stated, “Was the export of vaccines also an ‘oversight’ like many other decisions of this government, or an effort to garner publicity at the cost of our own citizens”
He alleged that the efforts of scientists and vaccine suppliers have been undermined by the Centre’s poor implementation of COVID-19 vaccination. Rahul Gandhi also urged the Centre to give state governments a higher say in COVID-19 vaccine procurement and distribution. He asked the Centre to take 7 actions for facilitating smooth vaccination:
1. Provide vaccine suppliers with essential sources to enhance manufacturing capacity
2. Place an quick moratorium on vaccine export
3. Fast track approval of other vaccines as per norms and recommendations
4. Open up vaccination to absolutely everyone who desires it
5. Double central allocation for vaccine procurement from the current Rs 35,000 crore
6. Give state governments a higher say in vaccine procurement and distribution
7. Provide direct revenue help to the vulnerable sections in the disastrous second wave
Some states have been demanding more vaccines and the Congress is looking for the vaccine for all. The Centre, on the other hand, has accused some states of carrying out politics on the situation of vaccines.