The Congress has slammed the Centre of differential pricing of COVID-19 vaccine – Covishield.
The Congress has, in fact, termed the move ‘atrocious’.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticising the Centre said the Centre getting Covishield at Rs 150 per dose and States at Rs 400 is no cooperative federalism.
He demanded that the Centre and State Governments must pay the same price for Covishield vaccine.
“The Central government will continue to pay ? 150 per dose for Covishield. State governments will now be charged ? 400 a dose. This is not cooperative federalism. This will bleed dry the already reeling state finances. Atrocious,” said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“We demand One Nation, One Price for Centre and State Governments,” the Congress leader added.
Central Govt will continue to pay Rs 150 per dose for Covishield. State govts will now be charged Rs 400 a dose. This is not cooperative federalism. This will bleed dry the already reeling state finances. Atrocious!
We demand One Nation, One Price for Centre & State governments. pic.twitter.com/YiOIWosNee
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 21, 2021
Also read: 22 COVID-19 patients on ventilators die after oxygen leak in Maharashtra Hospital
Meanwhile, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed displeasure over differential pricing of Covishield vaccine.
“Crisis of the nation, Opportunity for Modi’s friends, injustice of Central Government,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.
???? ??? ??
???? ???? ??????? ??
?????? ?????? ????? ??!#VaccineDiscrimination pic.twitter.com/oOTC77AmkB— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2021
Also read: Serum Institute to provide State Governments with Covishield at Rs 400/dose, Centre at Rs 150/dose
Notably, the Serum Institute of India (SII) has decided to provide State Governments with its COVID-19 vaccine – Covishield at a price of Rs 400 per dose.
On the other hand, Covishield will be provided to the Central Government at Rs 150 per dose.
Meanwhile, SII will price Covishied vaccine for the private market at Rs 600 per dose.
At present, vaccination is free of cost at Government hospitals.
On the other hand, Covishield, at present, is charged Rs 250 per dose at private hospitals.
Every individual needs to take two doses of a vaccine within the stipulated time.
SII CEO Adar Poonawalla informed that 50 percent of the capacities will be served to the Centre for the vaccination drive.
The remaining 50 percent will be provided to the State Governments and private hospitals.
Poonawalla added that Covishield vaccine would be made available in retail and free trade after four-five months.