Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi, urges him to halt export of Covid-19 vaccines
Rahul has also tweeted saying that the shortage of vaccine during this surge in new coronavirus cases is a serious issue and not a reason to celebrate.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday wrote a letter to PM Modi regarding the Covid-19 vaccination. In his missive, Rahul urged Prime Minister to ‘open up vaccination for everyone who needs it’ and also sought an immediate halt on vaccine exports.
Rahul Gandhi’s letter comes at a time when the whole country is facing the second wave of coronavirus.
In his letter, Rahul said, “There is no clear reason as to why the government permitted large-scale exports of vaccines. While our nation is facing vaccine starvation, more than 6 crore doses of vaccines have been exported.”
Rahul also wrote about shortage of vaccine in some states and held India’s vaccine export policy for the shortage. He demanded that Centre support all states without any bias.
“The state governments are repeatedly highlighting vaccine shortages only to receive intemperate statements by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare targeting Opposition-ruled states, undercutting co-operative federalism which you too have stressed as essential,” he wrote.
He has appealed to Centre to approve some other vaccines and double the budget for vaccine procurement.
Vaccine shortage not ‘festival’: Rahu’s dig at PM Modi
Rahul Gandhi had earlier tweeted on Friday, saying that the shortage of vaccine during this surge in new coronavirus cases is a serious issue and not a reason to celebrate.
बढ़ते कोरोना संकट में वैक्सीन की कमी एक अतिगंभीर समस्या है, ‘उत्सव’ नहीं-
अपने देशवासियों को ख़तरे में डालकर वैक्सीन एक्सपोर्ट क्या सही है?केंद्र सरकार सभी राज्यों को बिना पक्षपात के मदद करे।
हम सबको मिलकर इस महामारी को हराना होगा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2021
Vaccine shortage claims countered by Health Minister
State Health Ministers of Maharashtra, Delhi and Odisha have earlier declared that their state governments are running out of vaccine doses. However, Union Health Minister outrightly rejected such claims and called out against any politics over pandemic.