Punjab CM seeks Centre's funding support for COVID-19 vaccination of 18+ people

Terming the new COVID-19 vaccination policy for the 18+ age group as unfair to the states, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday sought Centre-State parity in vaccination for the 18+ age group from May 1. He also called for urgent steps to ensure adequate oxygen supply in the state. Also Read | Triple mutation variant in India emerges as fresh worry amid battle against coronavirus While his government has adopted all measures to minimize the demand for oxygen, given the criticality of it as the most essential drug for the treatment of serious Covid patients, the Government of India must ensure that all commitments as per the allocation are complied with by liquid oxygen manufacturers in other States, he demanded. Adding, he said that “this was not happening at present. Punjab’s supplies come from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and there are reports of supplies being ‘hijacked’, he said during a virtual conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Covid situation with chief ministers of the worst-hit states. Also Read | Coronavirus: Chandigarh says no to week-long or weekend lockdown On the vaccination front, Captain Amarinder Singh said at the rates declared by one manufacturer, the cost to the Punjab government will be over Rs 1000 crore. He sought central government funding for vaccination, with permission to make the cost a fit charge on SDRF funds in the interim. Regular vaccine supply must be ensured to maintain the supply chain to the last vaccination booth, he said, adding that due to supply shortage, the vaccination in the last one week has been slightly low, i.e. around 75-80,000 daily. While Punjab received fresh supplies yesterday the current stocks can last only 3 days as demand for the vaccine is increasing, he stressed. Click here to follow PTC News on Twitter -PTC News

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