The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India(Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 19, 2021:

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern at the devastation being caused by the surging pandemic in the country.

In such a grave health emergency, it is incumbent upon the central government to at least do the following:

Immediately marshal all public sector drug production facilities towards vaccine production. It is reported that one of the facilities in Tamil Nadu, the Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC), in the public sector, built at a cost of Rs 600 crore is lying unutilised. Capacities of all such facilities need to be utilised to their maximum to meet the demand-supply gap.

It is essential that the central government must spend the budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crores for vaccine production immediately.

Given the various doubts and concerns raised in the public about the availability and distribution of vaccines and drugs utilised in the treatment of Covid 19, it is important that their availability and distribution be done in a transparent manner.

Strict action against all hoarding and black marketing of essential drugs must be enforced.The central government must mount pressure on the US administration to uphold its commitment and ensure supply of essential raw material for vaccine production to India.

The Polit Bureau appeals to all to treat this public health emergency with all the seriousness that it warrants. All mass gatherings and super spreader events should be banned.

The central government must stop indulging in petty politics, blaming the people and shifting the blame on the shoulders of the state governments. It is paramount that in order to overcome this pandemic the centre and the states work together.

The country has to rise together to meet this challenge that is imposing untold tragedies. April 19, 2021