CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on June 08, 2021

THE Modi government has been forced to withdraw its faulty and disastrous “liberalised vaccine policy” in the face of strong opposition, pushback from states and Supreme Court’s criticism of it.  It has had to accept the demand for free vaccines for all citizens.

People will reject the condemnable effort by the prime minister, through his national broadcast, to level false charges against state governments and shift the responsibility to them. The “liberalised vaccine policy” was a unilateral decision of the central government.

However, the failed vaccine policy has not been fully reversed. The government has chosen to continue the dual pricing policy. As much as 25 per cent of vaccine production is still reserved for the private sector. This is nothing but a license for loot by private manufacturers to make super profits. Further, at a time of acute vaccine shortage, the continuation of such a policy will dilute and weaken the need for universal vaccination essential to prevent a third wave of the corona virus. Only the rich can afford the exorbitant pricing of vaccines for the private hospitals permitted by the government.

The CPI(M) demands the withdrawal of the 25 per cent reservation for the private sector. The central government must procure all the vaccines manufactured in India and bought globally and distribute it to states in consultation with them.