Five Months after Launch of Vaccination, the Union Government Provides a Hint How the Vaccine Doses Would Be Disbursed
Sukla Sen
The vaccination programme had been launched, with the Union Government monopolising 100% of all available vaccines, in mid-January (ref.: <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-worlds-largest-vaccination-programme-begins-in-india-on-january-16/article33582069.ece>).
It took almost five months to come out with a sort of protocol to determine allocation between states.
Never mind, that even now, if it reads rather like a Sudoku puzzle.
Hope the Supreme Court would make the maker of the puzzle solve it.
For the benefit of the common Indians.
Apart from asking for a detailed roadmap as regards augmenting the supply in the foreseeable future.
Anyway, thanks to the Supreme Court for this sudden windfall (ref.: <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-order-on-covid-19-vaccines-cant-be-silent-spectators-2454705>.)
That twelve major opposition parties had, in unison, asked for universal free vaccination must have also helped (ref.: <https://indianexpress.com/article/india/12-oppn-leaders-write-to-pm-modi-demand-free-mass-vaccination-suspension-of-central-vista-project-7312541/>), even if only a wee bit.
The whole episode further goes to underline how enormous damage Gogoi and Bobde have done.
Just to illustrate, last year, over a crore of migrant workers - as per government figures (ref.: <https://www.news18.com/news/india/over-1-crore-migrant-workers-walked-to-their-home-states-during-covid-19-lockdown-till-june-2899161.html>), had to trek back home - maybe hundreds of miles away, braving the scorching sun under the impact of the brutal lockdown, with less than 4 hours notice, meant to lock them up at their places of work so that they become available to their employers at their convenience as and when the lockdown eases. (A sample example.)
Also look up:
<<The Congress also sought to credit the Supreme Court for the change in the Centre's vaccination policy and said the announcement came after the apex court reprimanded it and sought an affidavit on the inoculation drive.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "The prime minister is guilty of endangering the lives of Indians by repeatedly changing the (vaccination) policy and instead of accusing the states, he should be tendering an apology for endangering people's lives."
He alleged that the government has brought these changes in its vaccination policy after it was reprimanded by the Supreme Court.
He alleged that the PM is "Pulling the wool over someone's eyes", as his government has ignored and rejected the demand made by several Congress leaders for universal free vaccination.>>
Here's the Prime Minister's complete "address to the nation": <https://www.narendramodi.in/prime-minister-narendra-modis-address-to-the-nation-555691>.
Now, the hint: <https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1402162127222108160?s=09>.
Sukla