Vijayan to 11 non-BJP CMs: ‘Come together in asking Centre to procure Covid vaccines’

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Monday wrote to his non-BJP counterparts in 11 states, calling for a united demand that the Centre procure Covid-19 vaccines wanted by the states and distribute them freed from price.
In his letter to the CMs, Vijayan stated he had already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, detailing the deserves of the Centre taking the lead in assessing vaccine necessities of varied states and floating a world tender accordingly. He stated the Centre procuring vaccine would even be cheaper.

Wrote to 11 CMs within the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Quite unlucky that Centre absolves itself of its responsibility to acquire vaccines, guarantee free common vaccination. United effort to collectively pursue our real demand is the necessity of the hour, in order that Centre acts instantly. pic.twitter.com/ILvEFYSpRu
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 31, 2021
“If the burden of procuring the vaccine is left to fall solely and even considerably on the states, their fiscal state of affairs can be in dire straits. Fiscal power of the states is a vital a part of a wholesome federal arrange. If the funds of the states are hamstrung, federalism itself might be weakened and this won’t augur properly for a democratic polity like ours. Further, this can impede the efforts for early constructing of herd immunity,’’ he stated.
Vijayan stated vaccine producers wish to make monetary positive aspects by exploiting the scarce provide state of affairs. Foreign pharma corporations are unwilling to enter into agreements with states for procuring vaccines. India has public sector pharma corporations that are able to taking on the manufacturing of the vaccine, he stated.
Vijayan stated the Centre ought to take obligatory steps to make sure that mental property rights, patent legal guidelines and conventions don’t stand in the best way of producing Covid-19 vaccines, which ought to have the standing of public good. Options like obligatory licensing needs to be explored by the Union Government, he added.
“When the nation is passing by way of the second surge, it’s fairly unlucky that there seems to be an try by the Centre to absolve itself of its bounden responsibility to offer ample provide of vaccine to the states,’’ Vijayan stated.