Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Writes To PM Modi, Asks For Free Covid Vaccine For All Ages

Soren stated that it was for the first time that the state was asked to pay for vaccines, terming the mandate for states to procure medicines against cooperative federalism.

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Ranchi: CM Hemant Soren wrote a letter to PM Modi on Monday highlighting how the states resources are stressed and requested for free vaccines for all age groups in Jharkhand. He also requested that the Prime Minister to give freedom to define priorities for vaccination coverage.

Soren said the state was battling a deadly second wave of COVID-19 with its limited resources.

Seeking free Covid jabs for the 18-44 age group, CM Soren said the state was unable to incur nearly Rs 1,100 crore for the 1.57 crore eligible beneficiaries due to stressed resources. He wrote, "With vaccine being available for age cohort of 12-18 years and below, the mentioned financial burden will further increase by around Rs 1,000 crore. It will be extremely difficult to spare as much resources from the resource pool of the state which is already stressed during Covid times".

Soren stated that it was for the first time that the state was asked to pay for vaccines, terming the mandate for states to procure medicines against cooperative federalism, Soren said, "This is probably for the first instance in the history of independent India that the states have been mandated to procure vaccines on their own."

He mentioned that it is now well established that timely and full vaccination of all the eligible beneficiaries is the only sustainable measure against the spread of COVID-19 infection and to control mortality on account of it. Urging the PM to provide to the State free vaccine for beneficiaries of all age groups and also give freedom to define priorities for vaccination coverage, Soren said this would help the state in achieving the target of full vaccination in a timely manner which would go a long way in ensuring effective tackling of the anticipated third wave.

According to latest available report, on Monday 703 more people tested positive for the infection putting the tally to 3,36,943, while the death toll reached 4,977 after 19 people lot their battle to the virus.

Early last month, the Jharkhand CM after a telephonic conversation with PM Modi took a dig at him citing the conversation as PM's 'Mann Ki Baat', instead of business. Soren was unhappy as he was not allowed to present the issues concerning his state before PM Modi and instead, it was only the prime minister who talked about the COVID-19 situation.