Delhi:New Delhi, June 07:ThePrime Minister expressed condolences for the people who lost their lives in thepandemic. Terming the pandemic the biggest calamity of last hundred years, apandemic not seen nor experienced in the modern world, the Prime Minister saidthat the country fought the pandemic at many fronts. Shri Modi made manyimportant announcements.
As manystates came forward with a demand for reconsideration of the vaccinationstrategy and for bringing back the system that was there before 1st May, the Prime Minister announced that it has been decided that the 25 per centvaccination that was with states will now be undertaken by the Government ofIndia. This will be rolled out in two weeks. In two weeks, centre and stateswill make necessary preparations as per new guidelines. The PrimeMinister further announced, that 21st June onwards, Government of India willprovide free vaccine to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age. Governmentof India will buy 75 per cent of the total production of the vaccine producersand provide to the states free of cost. No state government would be spendinganything for vaccines. Till now, crores of people got free vaccine, now 18years segment will be added to this. Government of India will provide freevaccines to all the citizens, reiterated the Prime Minister.
Shri Modiinformed that the system of 25 per cent vaccines being procured directly by theprivate hospitals will continue. State governments will monitor that only 150rupees service charge is levied by the private hospitals over the decided priceof the vaccines.
In anothermajor announcement, the Prime Minister conveyed the decision of extensionPradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna till Deepawali. This means that tillNovember, 80 crore people will continue to get decided amount of free foodgrain every month. During the pandemic, the government is standing with thepoor for all his needs as his friend, said the Prime Minister.
Recalling theunprecedented rise in the demand for the medical oxygen during the second waveduring the months of April and May, the Prime Minister said that the challengewas met at the war footing deploying all the systems of the government. In thehistory of India, this level of demand for medical oxygen was neverexperienced, said Shri Modi.
The PrimeMinister said that globally, vaccine producing companies and countries are farless than what is the global demand for the vaccines. In such a scenario, madein India vaccine was critical for India. The Prime Minister, pointed out thatin the past, India used to get vaccines decades after they were developedabroad. This always resulted in a situation in the past where India could noteven start vaccination while other countries used to finish the vaccine work.Shri Modi said that by working in mission mode, we raised the vaccinationcoverage from 60 per cent to 90 per cent in 5-6 years. We not only enhanced thespeed but also widened the ambit of vaccination, said the Prime Minister,
This time,said the Prime Minister, India warded off all the apprehensions and, throughclean intentions, clear policy and constant hard work, not just one buttwo made-in-India vaccines for Covid were launched in India. Ourscientists proved their calibre. Till today, more than 23 crore vaccine doseshave been administered in the country.
The PrimeMinister recalled that Vaccine Task force was constituted when there were justfew thousand Covid-19 cases and vaccine companies were supported by thegovernment in all possible ways in trials and funding for research anddevelopment. The Prime Minister informed that due to great effort and hardwork, supply of vaccine is about to increase in coming days. He conveyed that,today, seven companies are producing different type of vaccines. Trials ofthree more vaccines are in the advanced stage, informed the Prime Minister. ThePrime Minister also talked of trials for two vaccines for children and a ‘nasalvaccine’.
PrimeMinister, dwelled on the differing views from various quarters on thevaccination drive. As the corona cases started declining, questions arose aboutthe lack of choice for states and some people questioned why the centralgovernment is deciding everything. Flexibility in lockdown andone-size-does-not-fit-all type of argument were forwarded. Shri Modi said thatstarting from 16 January to April end, India’s vaccination programme was runmostly under the central government. Free vaccination for all was movingforward and people were showing discipline in getting vaccinated when theirturn came. In the midst of all this demands for decentralization of vaccinationwere raised, decision about priority to certain age groups were raised. Manytypes of pressures were exerted and certain sections of media took it ascampaign.
The PrimeMinister warned against the people who are spreading rumours againstvaccination. Such people are playing with the lives of people and there is aneed to stay vigilant against them said the Prime Minister.