Maharashtra mantri sparks row over ‘vax import’ by French embassy

MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Thursday claimed that the French embassy in India has procured Moderna anti-coronavirus vaccine and it is being administered to its nationals at Navi Mumbai even as only three other vaccines are permitted in the country.
The minority affairs minister sought to know from the Centre how a “non-permitted” vaccine is allowed to be administered to the residents of France and their relatives living here. Malik, who is NCP’s national spokesperson, also asked why the Centre cannot procure the vaccine for the people of India if the French Embassy can.
Responding to Malik's claim, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, “There are no exact details available about his allegations. As per my information, every embassy has made provisions of Covid-19 vaccines for its own staff working here. However, the Maharashtra government is not taking care of its own people in the state, but wasting time in pointing fingers at such non-issues.”