Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday sought 10 days’ stock of COVID-19 vaccine and Rs 300 crore from the Centre.
Speaking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with chief ministers on the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive, Naveen said, “Odisha has been doing well in vaccination program with minimum wastage in the country and efficient system of administering the vaccine to eligible persons. We have not been able to ramp up the vaccination due to supply issues.”
“We are currently able to vaccinate 2.5 lakh persons per day and have capability to increase further. We request that at least 10 days stock of the vaccines is ensured for Odisha,” the chief minister said.
Naveen also sought Rs 300 crore under Emergency Covid Response Plan for COVID-19 management in Odisha for 2021-22. In 2020-21, Odisha had requested for Rs 400 crore, but was granted Rs 146 crore.
Thanking the Centre for allowing the states to spend upto 50% of the annual allocation to SDRF fund towards COVID management in 2020-21, he wanted the same guideline to be continued for 2021-22.
“The entire country has to put up a united front against this pandemic and we will continue to provide support in this fight,” Naveen said.