Mamata Banerjee Supports Odisha CM’s Proposal on COVID-19 Vaccination

Bhubaneswar: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended her support to Odisha Chief Minister’s proposal for centralized procurement of vaccines by the Central Government.

Mamata Banerjee has reportedly spoken to the Odisha Chief Minister and agreed with the Naveen Patnaik’s proposal on vaccination.

Naveen Patnaik wrote to all Chief Ministers seeking a consensus on centralized procurement of vaccines by the Indian Government in view of the challenges faced by the States.

After the Union Government announced the Phase 3 of the vaccine policy and allowed for above 18 years and opened procurement to State governments and private sector, there has been great demand for vaccination from the citizens. Many states have floated global tenders for vaccine procurement. However, it is quite clear that 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 are having supply constraints and are not able to commit required supplies, Naveen said in the letter.

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, the Odisha CM stated.