TV
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote to CMs across the country for a consensus on centralised procurement of Covid-19 vaccines by the Centre in view of the challenges faced by states.
Stating that united efforts are required for vaccine procurement, Patnaik said vaccination is the only way to protect people against future waves and provide them with a hope of survival.
He said no state is safe unless all adopt vaccination as a top priority and execute it on war-footing. He added states should not compete against each other to procure vaccines. “Countries which have focused on vaccination program have seen remarkable improvement in their Covid situation. We have to provide this healing touch to our people,” the CM wrote.
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He said though many states have floated global tenders for vaccine procurement, the global vaccine manufacturers are looking forward to the Union Government for the clearances and assurances.
“They are unwilling to get into supply contracts with the state governments while the domestic vaccine manufacturers arc having supply constraints and are not able to commit required supplies,” he said.
“Under the above circumstances, the best option available is for the Government of India to centrally procure the vaccines and distribute it among the states so that our citizens are vaccinated at the earliest,” he added.
Terming the pandemic as the greatest challenge since Independence, he urged the CMs to set aside differences and together in true spirit of Cooperative Federalism for saving precious lives and hard earned livelihoods.
“I look forward to a productive way forward to pull our country out of this unprecedented crisis and we as a team owe it to our citizens,” he added.
