Taking steps to present free Covid vaccine to all in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday introduced her authorities was making preparations to supply free Covid-19 vaccine to the individuals within the state. The Opposition BJP accused Banerjee of attempting to take credit score for the Centre’s efforts.
In an open letter, Banerjee stated that “Covid warriors” or frontline employees equivalent to police personnel, house guards, civil defence volunteers, and correctional house and catastrophe administration staff could be administered the vaccine on a precedence foundation.
“I am happy to inform that our government is making arrangements for reaching the vaccine to all people of the state free of any charge,” the chief minister wrote within the letter addressed to the frontline employees.
Banerjee additionally expressed her gratitude for all such employees for his or her selfless service to the individuals of the state. “The government is taking steps to ensure that every citizen of the state receives free doses of the Covid-19 vaccine,” she added.
India is ready to launch a Covid-19 vaccination drive from January 16, with precedence given to just about three crore healthcare and frontline employees throughout the nation.
Banerjee’s announcement of free vaccination for everybody comes months forward of the state elections which might be prone to be held in April-May.
“We have seen how you dedicated yourself to your jobs despite the fear of the pandemic. Keeping that in mind, I want to assure you that your vaccine doses will be sent to you in a timely manner,” Banerjee added.
Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had made an identical announcement. Kerala may also go to the polls together with Bengal. The Bihar Cabinet has additionally given the nod to supply free vaccines to the state’s residents, a promise the BJP made in its manifesto for the Assembly elections held in October-November final yr.

The BJP, in the meantime, took a dig at Banerjee. BJP IT-Cell chief Amit Malviya accused the chief minister of “rushing to take credit” for the Centre’s efforts.
“Pishi [Banerjee] was a disaster when it came to managing Covid. From doctors to policemen, everyone protested against Chief Minister’s apathy. But now that the Centre has announced free priority vaccination for 3 crore frontline workers across the country, Pishi is rushing to take credit,” he tweeted.