Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to 11 CMs of non-BJP ruled states, including Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik, seeking a united effort to push the Centre for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and free universal vaccination.
“Wrote to 11 CMs in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Quite unfortunate that Centre absolves itself of its duty to procure vaccines, ensure free universal vaccination. United effort to jointly pursue our genuine demand is the need of the hour, so that Centre acts immediately,” Vijayan tweeted on Monday.
Wrote to 11 CMs in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Quite unfortunate that Centre absolves itself of its duty to procure vaccines, ensure free universal vaccination. United effort to jointly pursue our genuine demand is the need of the hour, so that Centre acts immediately. pic.twitter.com/ILvEFYSpRu
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 31, 2021
“The need of the hour is a united effort from our side to put forth the genuine demand that the Centre should procure vaccine needed by the states and distribute them free of cost. This will be more cost effective as well,” Vijayan said in the letter.
He observed that vaccine-manufacturing companies are looking for financial gains by exploiting the scarce supply situation in the country while foreign companies don’t want to enter into agreement with states for supplying vaccines.
“Options like compulsory licensing should be explored by the Union Government,” he stated, adding that if the burden of procuring vaccine is left entirely or even substantially on the states, their fiscal situation will be in dire straits.
Noting that just 3.1 per cent of the population has been administered both doses of the vaccine, he said that herd immunity will be effective only when a substantial section has been vaccinated.
