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    Congress-ruled states seek clarity on funding of vaccine

    Synopsis

    Last week, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking free vaccine distribution in Chhattisgarh.

    Vaccine---BCCL
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    NEW DELHI: The Opposition-ruled Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Jharkhand have sought clarity on the Covid vaccine funding and asked the Centre to provide free vaccine, if such freebies are doled out to other states.

    In a clear indication that Covid vaccine rollout could witness political drama, the Opposition-ruled states have asked the Centre details of vaccine funding, including financial aspects like who would foot the bill and how much the vaccine could cost. Speaking to ET, Chhattisgarh health minister T S Singhdeo said, “The Centre has not given any information on what would be the funding pattern of the vaccine, how much would it cost and who would pay? We have asked the Centre these questions but even as Prime Minister is visiting three vaccine manufacturing facilities, the states do not know any details.”

    Last week, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking free vaccine distribution in Chhattisgarh.

    Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma told ET, “Niti Aayog team had visited Rajasthan and interacted with health department officials on how to draw out priority lists. This is it. We have sought details from the Centre – clarify how the vaccine would be funded? We know that a vaccine candidate has not been finalised but that does not mean that we should not be made party to the larger plan. We have asked the Centre if one state is given free vaccine then every state should get it free.”

    The Opposition-ruled states have upped the ante on vaccine rollout and funding within days of Modi’s all-party meeting on Friday. Modi had said that Centre would work closely with states on vaccine administration. In a recent interaction with health ministry, Jharkhand, which has a coalition government, had also sought details beyond the priority list. A Jharkhand health department official told ET, “There is no clarity on vaccine funding. This issue has also been raised by the state political leadership with the Centre.”

    Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has written to Prime Minister seeking clarity on whether Covid vaccine would be entirely funded by the Centre and what would be the cost of the vaccine.


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