(PM Narendra Modi addressing the Nation in New Delhi on June 7, 2021)
Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on June 7, 2021, announced, that June 21, 2021, onwards, the Government of India (GoI) will provide free vaccine to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age. The GoI will buy 75 per cent of the total production of the vaccine producers and provide to the states free of cost. No state government would be spending anything on vaccine.
As many states came forward with a demand for reconsideration of the vaccination strategy and for bringing back the system that was there before May 1, 2021, the PM announced that it has been decided that the 25 per cent vaccination that was with states will now be undertaken by the GoI. This will be rolled out in two weeks. In two weeks, centre and states will make necessary preparations as per new guidelines.
Till now, crores of people got free vaccine, now 18 years segment will be added to this. Government of India will provide free vaccine to all the citizens, reiterated the Prime Minister. Terming the pandemic the biggest calamity of last hundred years, a pandemic not seen nor experienced in the modern world, the PM said that the country fought the pandemic at many fronts.
PM Modi informed that the system of 25 per cent vaccine being procured directly by the private hospitals will continue. The State governments will monitor that only Rs 150 service charge is levied by the private hospitals over the decided price of the vaccine, he said, according to a PIB release.
In another major announcement, the Prime Minister conveyed the decision of extension Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY) till Deepawali. This means that till November, 80 crore people will continue to get decided amount of free foodgrains every month.
Recalling the unprecedented rise in the demand for the medical oxygen during the second wave during the months of April and May, the Prime Minister said that the challenge was met on war footing deploying all the systems of the government. In the history of India, this level of demand for medical oxygen was never experienced, he said.
The Prime Minister said that globally, vaccine producing companies and countries are far less than what is the global demand for the vaccine. In such a scenario, made in India vaccine was critical for India. He pointed out that in the past, India used to get vaccine decades after they were developed abroad. This always resulted in a situation in the past where India could not even start vaccination while other countries used to finish the vaccine work. He said that by working in mission mode, we raised the vaccination coverage from 60 per cent to 90 per cent in 5-6 years.
This time, said the Prime Minister, India warded off all the apprehensions and, through clean intentions, clear policy and constant hard work, not just one but two made-in-India vaccine for Covid were launched in India. Our scientists proved their calibre. Till today, more than 23 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country, the PM asserted.
The Prime Minister recalled that Vaccine Task force was constituted when there were just few thousand Covid-19 cases and vaccine companies were supported by the government in all possible ways in trials and funding for research and development. He informed that due to great effort and hard work, supply of vaccine is about to increase in coming days. He conveyed that, today, seven companies are producing different type of vaccine. Trials of three more vaccines are in the advanced stage, informed the Prime Minister. He also talked of trials for two vaccines for children and a ‘nasal vaccine’.
The Prime Minister dwelled on the differing views from various quarters on the vaccination drive. As the corona cases started declining, questions arose about the lack of choice for states and some people questioned why the central government is deciding everything. Flexibility in lockdown and one-size-does-not-fit- all type of argument were forwarded.
The PM said that starting from January 16, 2021, to April end, India’s vaccination programme was run mostly under the central government. Free vaccination for all was moving forward and people were showing discipline in getting vaccinated when their turn came. In the midst of all this demands for decentralisation of vaccination were raised, decision about priority to certain age groups were raised. Many types of pressures were exerted and certain sections of media took it as campaign, the PM said. He warned against the people who are spreading rumours against vaccination. Such people are playing with the lives of people and there is a need to stay vigilant against them, he said.