JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday demanded free vaccination for all. He said while the state government gives free vaccine to people above 45 years, charging the young population will be discriminatory.
In a series of tweets, the chief minister said after continuous demands by the Congress and the states, the central government has decided to vaccinate people above the age of 18 years, which we welcome.
The central government should also announce the roll out of free vaccine to youth above 18 years of age. If there is no free vaccine, there will be resentment among the youth towards the central government.
He added, “In the states, the same machinery (medical staff) will be providing vaccination facilty to all age groups. It will not be appropriate to charge the youth and the rest be given free vaccine.”
He said the central government should adopt the same policy for vaccination for all age groups (above 60 years, above 45 years and now above 18 years).
He added the deadly Covid virus was now spreading rapidly and the death rate was also very high. In such a situation, the central government should not burden the youth with costly vaccination, but provide it free of cost at the earliest.
He added in this crisis, putting additional burden on the states, the common people will face problems and development work will come to a standstill in the states. Allowing the private sector to vaccinate is a welcome step. This will enable those who can afford to purchase the vaccine and reduce the burden on the government.
The Centre had announed vaccination to people above 18 years from May 1, but said they had to pay for the vaccine.
CM appeal to PM
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel his election campaigns in Bengal and focus on Covid management. “I again appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that things are getting worse. In view of the horrors of Covid, concentrate on correcting the medical arrangements, leaving rallies in Bengal,” he said in a series of tweets.
“India is one of the largest producers of medical and industrial oxygen, medicines and vaccines . Deaths due to lack of oxygen and medicines are unfortunate. There have never been deaths due to this in other countries of the world,” he said.
The sooner we fix our arrangements, more the lives can be saved. The central government should make available life saving medicines and oxygen to patients and complete the vaccination quickly.