New Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan gave his reply to former PM Manmohan Singh after he sent a letter to PM Narendra Modi with suggestions for fight against COVID-19. Dr. Harsh Vardhan posted the reply on his Twitter account.

Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh writes PM Narendra Modi, “The key to our fight against COVID19 must be ramping up the vaccination effort. We must resist the temptation to look at the absolute numbers being vaccinated, and focus instead on the percentage of the population vaccinated”

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan writes to ex- PM Manmohan Singh on the latter’s letter to PM Modi,”while you understand importance of vaccination…people in responsible positions in your party as well as in state govt formed by your party do not seem to share your view.”

In all humility, a word of advice to you as well, Dr Manmohan Singh ji !

A learned man of your stature could do well to surround himself with better advisors.

All suggestions given by you have been implemented a week prior to your letter.

PS : There’s value in staying updated!

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 19, 2021

Minister’s Reply

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said in his letter, “However, it does seem that those who drafted your letter or advised you, have done a great disservice to your standing by misleading you regarding material that is already in public domain. For example, take the point that you have mentioned about allowing import of vaccines that have already been approved by credible foreign authorities. You made this suggestion on April 18, 2021, but a decision on this had already been taken a week ahead of your suggestion, on April 11, 2021. The same is the case with your suggestion regarding providing funds and other concessions to augment vaccine manufacturing. This decision had also been taken many days before receipt of your letter and multiple vaccine manufacturing entities have been funded by the government to immediately enhance production.”

History shall be kinder to you Dr Manmohan Singh ji if your offer of ‘constructive cooperation’ and valuable advice was followed by your @INCIndia leaders as well in such extraordinary times !

Here’s my reply to your letter to Hon’ble PM Sh @narendramodi ji ? @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/IJcz3aL2mo

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 19, 2021

Letter of Former PM

In the letter, the former PM wrote, “The government should publicise what are the firm orders for doses placed on different vaccine producers and accepted for delivery over the next six months,” adding that if a target number are to be vaccinated in this period, enough orders should be placed in advance so that producers can adhere to an agreed schedule of supply.

India reported at least 2,73,810 new COVID-19 cases and 1,619 death in the past 24 hours.