Arvind Kejriwal: Asking states to get vaccines like asking us to get weapons for struggle

POINTING OUT that no state has been profitable thus far in procuring vaccines immediately by world tenders, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday lashed out on the Centre’s 50:50 vaccination coverage, saying that directing states to make their very own preparations was like asking them to acquire bombs and tanks if Pakistan declared struggle on India.
In Delhi’s case, he mentioned, talks are underway to get the Sputnik V vaccine however there was no dedication but on what number of doses can be made obtainable.
“The Centre will have to show a sense of urgency and carry out the vaccination programme on a war footing. The situation we are in at present, where states are being asked to make their own arrangements, is like Pakistan declaring war on us tomorrow and the Centre asking if Delhi has made a nuclear bomb, if UP has bought tanks? This is not how it should happen. It is the Centre’s responsibility to procure vaccines,” Kejriwal mentioned.
“If the Centre gives enough vaccine doses to us and we fail to open vaccination centres, it will be our fault. But if the Centre fails to procure vaccines, and tells us to procure vaccines, how will it work? We are in a war-like situation today. We are fighting a war against corona. States have their responsibility and the Centre has its own. The Centre can’t shrug off its responsibilities and tell states to make their own arrangements. This is wrong,” he mentioned.
Kejriwal’s remarks echo these made by different chief ministers on this subject, together with West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee and Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan — and even by the Allahabad High Court, which sought centralised vaccination procurement.
“Vaccines by companies such as Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson can be given clearance within 24 hours, why is it not being done? The Centre is asking states to procure directly. Not a single state government has been successful in getting any of these vaccines. This was the job of the Centre…State governments have made efforts. They have floated global tenders. They are speaking to all companies, but the companies have refused to speak to us and say they will deal with the Centre,” he mentioned.

According to Kejriwal, the nation has made errors in procurement and manufacturing and is six months behind the remainder of the world in vaccination.
“We didn’t plan and ramp up production on time. In the US, UK and Israel, a large number of people have been vaccinated and they are benefitting from this. But let’s forget that now. We have to plan for the future but the sense of urgency is missing,” he mentioned.
Calling for youngsters to be vaccinated, Kejriwal mentioned: “Moderna and Pfizer have said that their trials are complete and their vaccines are suitable for children. The Centre should not delay any further and grant permission to use these international vaccines.”
The CM was talking on the inauguration of a drive-in vaccination facility at Dwarka, which can be run by Akash Healthcare. He mentioned Delhi will quickly get a authorities drive-in facility at Chhatrasal Stadium.
Kejriwal mentioned linking the unlockdown course of to the vaccination drive wouldn’t be potential since there’s a vaccine scarcity.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, in the meantime, hit out at Kejriwal saying he had earlier advocated decentralisation of the vaccination programme however has now taken a “U-turn” and is indulging in “lies, misinformation and credit-taking”.

The Centre had written to the Delhi authorities final week saying that solely shut to eight lakh vaccines could be obtainable to the state in June. This included the vaccines to be given to the state without cost by the Centre in addition to people who had been bought by the state immediately from the producers.
“These letters make it amply clear that despite placing orders directly, it is the Centre that is handling the distribution of doses in both categories,” a senior authorities official mentioned.