Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing anguish over the new vaccination policy.
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday, writes a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing her deep concern and sense of anguish over the new Covid-19 vaccination policy. She also made a scathing attack on the Central Government by calling it an "arbitary" and "discriminatory" policy, which will "exacerbate" the exisiting challenges amid COVID crisis.
She stated in her letter, "The policy implies that the Government of India has abdicated its responsibility to provide free vaccination for citizens between the age group of 18 to 45 years. This is complete abandonment of the Government's responsibility towards our youth."
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The statement comes a day after Serum Institute of India announced a differential pricing mechanism for its vaccine, viz., Rs. 150/- per dose for the Central Government, Rs. 400/- per dose for State Government and Rs. 600/- per dose for Private Hospitals.
"This means that citizens will be compelled to pay these high rates to be vaccinated. This will also bleed the finances of State Governments," the Congress President asserted.
Alleging that there is no rationale or justification that allows for such arbitrary distinction, she questioned the Government that how can the same vaccine manufactured by the same company have three different prices.
While attacking the Government, she said in her letter, "In these unprecedented times, how can the Government of India permit such brazen profiteering from people's misery? At a time when medical resources are scarce, hospital beds are unavailable, oxygen supply and availability of essential medicine is dwindling rapidly, why is your Government allowing a policy that reeks of such insensitivity. Even with regards to the fifty percent quota for vaccination available with the Central Government, the allocation must be transparent and equitable, in line with the spirit of cooperative federalism."
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Congress had demanded a re-evaluation of this policy, suggesting that there should be a uniform price for vaccination under 'One nation, One Price' policy
In an appeal to the PM, Sonia Gandhi stated, "I would urge you to intervene immediately and reverse this ill considered decision. The nation's goal must be to ensure that everyone over 18 years is given the vaccine, regardless of their economic circumstances."
